Kyle Lowry to Undergo Surgery on Wrist, Out 4-5 Weeks

Awful news for the Toronto Raptors today, as Kyle Lowry’s wrist injury will result in surgery. According to the team, he will likely be out until the playoffs.

The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports a different, shorter timeline than the Raptors, saying Lowry could return for some regular season games.

Lowry initially injured his wrist in the February 15 game against Charlotte, playing through soreness during last weekend’s Three-Point Shootout and All-Star Game. He sat out Friday’s game against Boston and Sunday against Portland. Now, we know the full story.

Here’s Lowry’s scrum on the wrist injury from Friday night.

As the most important player on the Raptors, this obviously has huge ramifications for the remainder of the regular season. Toronto has 23 games remaining on the schedule, and are desperate for a top-three seed in order to avoid Cleveland in the second round. All of a sudden, a home-and-home series with Washington on Wednesday and Friday has enormous weight.

On the personnel side, all eyes now turn to DeMar DeRozan. He’s scored 76 points in the last two games with Lowry out, and will be called upon for that kind of production as the Raptors’ new pieces continue to gel around him. Serge Ibaka and Jonas Valanciunas will also be called upon for offensive production, and the Raptors’ role players will need to make shots.

In lieu of Lowry, there’s also enormous pressure on Cory Joseph to continue his play over the last two games. Joseph will be the starter indefinitely, and youngster Delon Wright is suddenly thrust into the permanent rotation after a long-term injury of his own.

Lowry, of course, is the grease that keeps the Raptors’ offense rolling — and has been for the last three seasons. That said, there’s been a more positive vibe around the Raptors since the All-Star break. With new additions, the offense has managed to solidify in fits and starts without Lowry. Stretching a two-game sample size over 25 is impossible, but there’s at least a glimmer of hope in these sad times.

We’ll keep you updated on Lowry’s injury news as it comes out.