Daniel Hackett on court despite initial disqualification: FIP explains

In game-4 of the playoff semifinals between Reyer Venezia and Virtus Bologna, scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m. at Taliercio, the Vu Nere will be able to count on Daniel Hackett despite the initial decision by the Giudice Sportivo (sports judge) to disqualify him for two games following the expulsion he received in game-3 for head-to-head contact with Orogranata Leonardo Candi.

“The Sports Court of Appeals, in partial acceptance of the complaint of the Olidata Virtus Pall. Bologna club, reduced from two to one the days of disqualification of the player Daniel Lorenzo Hackett,” the Federbasket note reads, “and authorized its commutation into a fine (Articles 33.2 /1 and 14.4 R.G.). Therefore, Hackett will be able to play as of the next game.”

The Virtus veteran had initially been disqualified for two games for what happened when the game was stopped during the last quarter of game-3, which ended 89-85 for Reyer, which had taken a 2-1 lead in the semifinal series. Given the Court of Appeals decision, he may be on the court in the fourth game of the series, which sees Virtus’ backs against the wall: another loss would mean elimination for Jakovljevic’s men, reigning Italian champions and first in the regular season.

On the other hand, Venice is one step away from its first final since 2019, when the orogranata, third in the regular season, overcame Trento and Vanoli Cremone in order, before defeating Dinamo Sassari in seven games, thus winning its fourth Scuderro after those of 1942-1943 and 2017.