After acquiring Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker prior to the trade deadline, things were looking up for the Toronto Raptors. Now, however, their best player will undergo surgery on his shooting wrist, the Raptors announced:
Kyle Lowry to undergo surgery Tuesday morning to remove loose bodies from right wrist. Aim to return for playoffs. #WeTheNorth
— RaptorsMR (@RaptorsMR) February 27, 2017
Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reports that Lowry could make his return before the postseason:
Sources: Lowry could return within four-to-five weeks, play regular season games prior to playoffs. https://t.co/6V5tp3eo1A
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 27, 2017
Lowry is the most impactful player on this team and his absence is a huge blow. Lowry missing the rest of – or most of – the regular season could cost the Raptors a top-three seed in the East. They currently hold the fourth seed but are neck-and-neck with the Wizards for the third seed.
On the bright side, the Raptors shored up their depth at the deadline; that could be enough to keep them competitive as the regular season winds down. They did win their last game vs. the Celtics without Lowry, after all. Who will step up at the point guard position in Lowry’s absence? Cory Joseph? Delon Wright? Fred VanVleet? Brandon Jennings is available after being waived by the Knicks Monday.
