Nikola Milutinov returns to play after injury scare in Serbia-Italy match

During the second match of the FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifiers between Serbia and Italy on August 31, 2026, Serbian center Nikola Milutinov suffered an injury while contesting a ball under the basket. Initially, the Olympiacos player had to be helped off the court by the medical staff, raising significant concerns among both his national team and club representatives regarding the severity of his condition.

Following initial fears of a serious injury, the situation improved significantly as Milutinov returned to the court for the second half of the game. He continued to play for the remainder of the match without showing signs of physical distress, effectively alleviating the anxiety surrounding his health. No further complications were reported, allowing the player to remain active for the duration of the contest.