Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas is now slated to return from a left thumb injury around the All-Star break, according to a team release via ESPN's Tim Bontemps:
The injury to Jonas Valanciunas' left thumb continues to heal and his condition continues to improve. Valanciunas is now wearing a splint for basketball activities only, and he is working with the Raptors' medical staff to rehabilitate the range of motion and improve power and strength in the joint. He will use the splint for approximately the next four weeks and will be regularly evaluated during that period. His condition will be updated as appropriate.
Valanciunas has missed the last 13 games since exiting after eight minutes against the Golden State Warriors on Dec. 12. The Raptors have gone 8-5 through his absence, playing big man Serge Ibaka at center while Pascal Siakam sees full minutes at power forward.
The 26-year-old is playing the most efficient basketball of his life, tying a career high with 12.8 points per game in only 18.8 minutes on the floor, the lowest playing time of his seven-year tenure with the team.
Valanciunas is shooting a career-best 57.5 percent from the field and 81.9 percent from the foul line, two improvements that have seen him make the most of his diminished minutes under Nick Nurse.
With his return being a month away, Greg Monroe should continue to see minutes coming off the bench until the 7-foot Lithuanian is integrated back in the lineup, having started only 10 times through his 30 appearances this season.
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