Raptors' Ross returns from thumb injury
Reinforcements are on the way for the struggling Toronto Raptors.
Shooting guard Terrence Ross will make his return to the lineup after injuring his thumb last Tuesday, the team announced.
Ross was originally expected to miss at least two weeks, but he's apparently recovered ahead of schedule.
The Raptors have blown three straight games in which they held a lead in the fourth quarter, and could certainly use some help on the wing as regulars DeMar DeRozan and DeMarre Carroll have both logged heavy minutes in Ross' absence.
Ross, however, is something of a wild card. He's about as inconsistent as they come, as he's followed up a 21-point outing in his second game of the year with only 18 points in the five games thereafter before going down with the injury.
On a good day, Ross provides stingy defense on the perimeter and strong spot-up 3-point shooting. On a bad day, he's an ineffectual headache for head coach Dwane Casey.
Ross, now playing in his fourth year since being drafted eighth overall in 2012, is averaging 6.3 points and 1.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 38 percent from deep.
Those averages, however, didn't dissuade general manager Masai Ujiri from inking Ross to a three-year, $31-million extension in early November.