Raptors' Valanciunas cleared to return to practice
All the Toronto Raptors want for Christmas is a healthy Jonas Valanciunas.
The fourth-year Lithuanian center, who has missed 15 games since suffering a fractured left hand on Nov. 20, was cleared by team doctors to return to practice Monday.
Valanciunas had a productive (if uneven) start to the season before getting hurt, averaging career-highs in points (12.7) and rebounds (9.3), with a stout 20.1 PER.
Though the Raptors have managed capably (9-6) without him by employing some smaller lineups, they've still scored 9.2 fewer points per 100 possessions with his backups on the floor. Perhaps more importantly, the ripple effect of his absence has meant a greater strain on the other starters, particularly the backcourt, as the Raptors have reshuffled their rotations - a problem exacerbated by the injury to DeMarre Carroll.
| MPG | Before JV injury | Since JV injury |
|---|---|---|
| DeMar DeRozan | 35.5 | 37.8 |
| Kyle Lowry | 35.3 | 36.8 |
| USG% | Before JV injury | Since JV injury |
|---|---|---|
| DeMar DeRozan | 27.5 | 30.1 |
| Kyle Lowry | 25.6 | 28 |
Lowry played just 25 minutes in Sunday's loss to the Sacramento Kings because he got himself tossed in the third quarter. Without that game, his post-Valanciunas-injury minutes average is 36.8. Both he and DeRozan rank in the top five in minutes played this season.
Valanciunas' return, which should come shortly after Christmas, will help spell those two workhorses, and relieve a good chunk of the offensive burden.