Nick Calathes was taken to the hospital last Tuesday afternoon, after Greece's loss to Spain in the Paris 2024 Olympics. He sustained a blow to his ribs during the game.

Initial scans showed no fracture, and the 35-year-old veteran will be ready to play in Friday's crucial Game Day 3 match against Australia (13:30 CET). The injury did not prove sufficient to keep the 35-year-old guard out.

So, the point guard of AS Monaco joined Greece's practice session one day before the match and will be at Vassilis Spanoulis' disposal.

"Nick very much wants to play. We know he is a very tough kid, he can take the pain, over the years he has played too many times injured," Spanoulis told the media before Greece's last practice.

"He took an elbow in the ribs, we know it's something that hurts, but we also know it can't get any worse. So, we're confident Nick will give everything to help the team."

With Greece currently 0-2 in the Olympic Basketball Tournament, a win against the Boomers is essential for their chances of reaching the quarterfinals.

There are three scenarios that send Greece to the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games, with two of them being in direct relation to the results of other teams. 

2. Greece beats Australia by 3 to 9 points and Canada prevails over Spain. Greece will be 3rd in a tie with Australian and Spain and will hope to qualify as one of the tournament's two best third-placed teams.

3. Greece beats Australia by 10 or more points and Canada beats Spain. Greece will finish 2nd in a three-way tie with Australia and Spain.

After the group stage, a draw will determine the pairings in the quarter-final stage, with the eight teams divided into four groups according to their results in the first three games of the tournament.