Casey: Valanciunas nowhere close to being ready
The Toronto Raptors will already be without center Jonas Valanciunas for Game 7 on Sunday, and the team may have to advance deep into the Eastern Conference finals should he see the court again this season.
Valanciunas has been out since suffering a sprained right ankle in Game 3 of the semifinals and Raptors head coach Dwane Casey told reporters following a 103-91 loss to the Miami Heat in Game 6 on Friday that the center "is nowhere close to being ready."
Valanciunas has averaged 15 points and 12.1 rebounds in these playoffs. He had a double-double in all three games against the Heat.
Miami will also be without its center for Game 7 as well, with Hassan Whiteside saying he'll travel to the game but will not play due to a first-degree MCL sprain.
The winner of Game 7 will open the Eastern Conference finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.