Raptors' Kyle Lowry: To undergo surgery on wrist, likely out until playoffs

Lowry will undergo surgery Tuesday to remove loose bodies from his right wrist and is expected to miss at least the remainder of the regular season.

Analysis:

The Raptors' official release didn't provide many details, stating only that Lowry will "aim to return for the playoffs." That would seem to imply that he'll be done for the remainder of the regular season, meaning Cory Joseph will likely step into the starting lineup going forward. The loss of Lowry is obviously a major blow for the Raptors, who acquired both Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker at the trade deadline in hopes of bolstering their roster for a run at dethroning the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. If Lowry is able to return at full strength early in the postseason, the Raptors will still be among the top teams in the East, but it's difficult to imagine Toronto truly contending for a Finals berth if the All-Star remains sidelined.