Xavier Castañeda Faces 12-Week Hamstring Injury Layoff

Xavier Castañeda, on loan from Unicaja Málaga to MoraBanc Andorra, will miss 12 weeks after medical tests confirmed a rupture in the hamstring muscles of his right leg. The injury struck in the closing stages of Sunday's Liga ACB loss to Real Madrid, as he twisted awkwardly on a drive to the hoop in the fourth quarter.

Initial post-game fears raised by coach Joan Plaza centred on a serious hamstring problem. "It could be dangerous because it's the hamstring, and medical services will tell us, but we can't fight against that," he said at his press conference. Monday's scans verified the full extent, leaving Castañeda sidelined for three months and unavailable for Saturday's 19:00 home game against Río Breogán Lugo.

In that standout third outing for Andorra—his finest in ACB—he delivered 21 points over 20 minutes and 36 seconds, going 5-for-7 from deep with two rebounds and an assist for a 16 efficiency score. The display let Plaza ease minutes for underperforming Shannon Evans.

The setback deepens Andorra's backcourt woes, with Spanish-Brazilian Rafa Luz nearing a possible return against Breogán and French forward Yves Pons still out from an ankle sprain. Castañeda had arrived on loan to replace Ferran Bassas, following a stint where Hiopos Lleida cut him after medical checks; he debuted against them with 14 points in 11 minutes and managed two against Baskonia in his second game.

MoraBanc has ramped up winter market activity, reigniting pursuit of US guard Daryl Macon from Greece's Maroussi. Andorra reportedly raised their offer to match demands after earlier talks stalled. The NBA veteran, with prior roles at Panathinaikos, Galatasaray, AEK Athens, UNICS Kazan and in China, has allegedly signed, per specialist reports—though the deal awaits finalization. His arrival would likely see Aaron Best depart, given their shared agent and the Canadian's lined-up move.