Written by Chris Fedor at Cleveland.com
The Toronto Raptors will not have starting center Jonas Valanciunas, the team’s third-leading scorer in the postseason, for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
There doesn’t appear to be much optimism for the remainder of the series either.
“He’s going to get treatment day to day,” Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said during a conference call on Monday. “I don’t foresee it but I’m not committing to it. Just going to see how his body reacts and comes through rehab. It’s going to be very difficult for Game 2. But to cancel him out for the entire series, I don’t know.”
Valanciunas, averaging 15.0 points on 55 percent shooting to go with 12.1 rebounds in the playoffs, has missed four straight games after suffering a sprained right ankle during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Miami Heat.
Since the injury, he hasn’t done much on the court, only shooting free throws from time to time, as the Raptors continue to be cautious with their talented big man.
“We’re not going to jeopardize further hurting his ankle just to get him out there for a game,” Casey said. “If he’s not 100 percent we’re not going to damage it.”
Fifth-year pro Bismack Biyombo has slid into the starting lineup, recording a double-double in three of the four games as starter.
“Obviously both of them has been a key to their success throughout the season,” LeBron James said Monday following the final practice before Tuesday’s series opener. “It gives them a different threat. They’re able to throw lobs, he’s able to finish over top. He plays with a lot more speed. Valanciunas is obviously very good, but they play a little bit more methodical game. Able to get out into the open floor with Biyombo. It gives them great balance when both of them are in there, and obviously with Biyombo in there since Valanciunas got hurt, has given them a different threat.”
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