LOS ANGELES — Toronto Raptors star Kyle Lowry will miss the rest of the regular season because of a wrist injury, the NBA team announced on Monday. The Raptors announced on Twitter that Lowry would undergo surgery on Tuesday morning on his right wrist to remove “loose bodies.”
“Aim to return for playoffs,” the team added in its tweet without providing further information. Toronto are currently fourth in the Eastern Conference standings and on course to reach the playoffs with a 35-24 record. However, the absence of Lowry is a serious injury blow for Toronto as they attempt to go one better than last season when they fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals.
“Not good. It was one of those things we didn’t know it was as serious as it was,” Toronto coach Dwane Casey said of Lowry’s injury. “That’s why you get second opinions as he did. He decided to have it done now, hopefully to have some time before the playoffs to get some games in.”
In his 11th season in the NBA, Lowry is averaging a career-best 22.8 points per game with 6.9 assists and 4.7 rebounds. Lowry last played in the NBA All-Star Game on February 19, when he weighed in with 19 points and made five of nine three-point attempts.
Bogut waived by Sixers,
Cleveland-bound?
Australian center Andrew Bogut was waived by the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, just days after he was acquired by the team in a trade. Philly acquired Bogut last Thursday in a deal with the Dallas Mavericks to capture Nerlens Noel in exchange for the Aussie, Justin Anderson and a 2017 first-round draft pick.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are tipped to snap up Bogut according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer although the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics have also been linked to the towering free agent. Cleveland, which has a bumper payroll of nearly $130 million would only be able to offer a portion of Bogut’s $1.55 million minimum salary.
Bogut has played in just 26 games this season with 21 starts since joining Dallas from the Golden State Warriors last year. The 32-year-old, who was the first Australian to be the overall first pick in the 2005 NBA draft, is averaging 3.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 22.4 minutes per game this season. He has not played in a game since February 15 against Detroit, which was his first match since January.
Deron Williams signs with champion Cavaliers
Free agent point guard Deron Williams signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers, giving the NBA champions another playmaker to help them defend their title.
Williams will initially come off the bench for the Cavs, who have been seeking a backup for All-Star Kyrie Irving all season. A 13-year veteran, Williams had his contract bought out last week by Dallas, cleared waivers on Saturday and told the Cavs he would sign with them.
Williams wanted an opportunity to win it all, and the three-time All-Star’s addition bolsters Cleveland’s chances of capturing a third straight Eastern Conference crown. Cavs coach Tyronn Lue will likely have Williams run the offense for Cleveland’s second unit, plus he will also allow the Cavs to rest both Irving and LeBron James. Down the line, Lue could use Williams in the starting lineup. Williams has averaged 16.6 points and 8.2 assists in his career since debuting with Utah in 2005. — Agencies
