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We didn’t want to have to provide this particular update, but here it is: Norman Powell is out “indefinitely” with a subluxation (partial dislocation) of the left shoulder.
As per Raptors PR, there is no timetable for Powell’s return at the present moment. We’ll keep the updates coming, but it sounds like, as Nick Nurse said earlier today, the situation is just “not good.”
Nurse says it’s “not good” with Norman Powell’s shoulder. Powell is in a sling, will undergo further tests back in Toronto, but they expect him out “weeks.”
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) November 7, 2018
As I wrote about here, Powell’s injury occurred in the Raptors’ game against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. It was a nothing play, a routine fight through a screen, so it’s doubly unfortunate this had to happen; Norm was just playing with his usual force and attitude. On top of that, while Powell’s numbers don’t exactly pop (5.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.9 assists), he was shooting better this season, with marks of 48 percent from the field and 41 percent from three. He was playing more in flow with Toronto’s offense and applying himself under control within their defensive schemes. When the Raps started the season without Delon Wright and Fred VanVleet, Norm was there to pick up the slack.
Now Wright and FVV are back, which means (fortunately) the Raptors have the manpower to keep things trending in the right direction. This has long been true in Toronto: the roster is deep and prepared to absorb any unfortunate injuries like this one. As it stands it looks like the Raptors will need to rely on FVV and Delon more (which was probably going to be the case in their 10-man rotation anyway). We could also see more minutes for C.J. Miles, which, hoo boy, hopefully can get him going this season. There’s also the tandem of Lorenzo Brown and Malachi Richardson to step in for spot minutes, which we saw earlier this season.
The way Powell had been playing to start the season it’s easy to forget that he’s actually the Raptors’ 11th man. The injury setback is a real bummer for him, and spiritually for the Raptors. But the team should be able to keep plugging away. Get well soon, Norm — your spot on the team will be ready for you when you get back to full health.