Lowry to be re-evaluated in 2 weeks, Ibaka out indefinitely
Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry has been diagnosed with a fracture of the distal phalanx in his left thumb and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, the team announced on Saturday, and Serge Ibaka will be out indefinitely due to a sprained ankle.
It's the same thumb Lowry underwent offseason surgery on to repair torn ligaments.
The injury occurred in the first quarter of the Raptors' 122-104 road win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. The five-time All-Star was hurt while fighting for an offensive rebound with Pelicans big man Derrick Favors.
Lowry left the game briefly and returned to play just a couple of minutes later. However, the Raptors star departed for good midway through the second quarter.
"It felt weird from the rip," Lowry told reporters postgame, including ESPN's Andrew Lopez. "I kept playing through it and kept playing through it. Originally we thought it was something in the nail bed because the nail bed turned black and blue.
"We got some X-rays and we sent the X-rays off to the doctors and there was a small fracture in the thumb."
Lowry agreed to a one-year, $31-million contract extension prior to the 2019-20 campaign.
He was off to one of the best starts of his career, averaging 21.8 points and 6.5 assists while shooting 42.6% from downtown across eight appearances this season. The 33-year-old also ranks fifth in the Association at 36.1 minutes per game.
Ibaka, meanwhile, sprained his right ankle in the final minute of the second quarter on Friday. He left the arena in a walking boot and will undergo further testing in L.A.
Ibaka was also enjoying a strong start to the season, posting 14 points and 6.5 boards in just 22.9 minutes per game off the bench.
Norman Powell, Chris Boucher, and Terence Davis are expected to take on expanded roles with both players out.
Toronto is second in the Eastern Conference with a 6-2 record entering the remainder of their four-game road trip.