The defending champions Toronto Raptors cruised to 122-104 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, but lost Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka to separate injuries.
Lowry was the first one to get hit by the injury bug, as he hurt his thumb after going for a steal against Derrick Favors.
He initially managed to stay in the floor but aggravated it again after a drilling a 3-point make midway through the second quarter. Lowry proceeded to the locker room and did not return to the ball game.
Initial tests revealed that Lowry had a small fracture in his left thumb, which was unrelated to his previous injury in last year’s playoffs.
Ibaka, meanwhile, was helped off the court by his teammates just before halftime after turning his foot. He would also sit out the rest of the ball game after suffering what appeared to be a severely sprained ankle.
Officially Raps calling Lowry's injury a left thumb injury and will not return. Ibaka has a right sprained ankle and will not return.
— Mike Ganter (@Mike_Ganter) November 9, 2019
Ibaka had eight points and six rebounds before exiting the match, while Lowry finished with six points and five assists.
Luckily for the Raptors, the team’s budding superstar Paskal Siakam managed to carry the load and lead the team to a win after matching his career-high 44 points on 17-for-28 shooting from the floor to go along with 20 boards.
Lowry recently signed a one-year, $31 million contract in the offseason to stay with the Raptors. He has taken more responsibilities on offense since the departure of Kawhi Leonard, averaging 24.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.7 assists.
Ibaka, on the other hand, is averaging 14.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in his fourth season in Toronto.
Follow Us
Subscribe