The Toronto Raptors need all hands on deck to stop the Cleveland Cavaliers from sweeping the Eastern Conference Finals, but Jonas Valanciunas isn’t likely to play in Game 3, regardless.
Chris O’Leary of the Toronto Star reports the center will remain “doubtful for Game 3,” noting head coach Dwayne Casey saying he is “progressing but they won’t rush him back.
Valanciunas (ankle) has been out since Game 3 of the team’s semifinals series against the Miami Heat. Toronto was able to squeak past Miami in seven games, but the Cavaliers have presented a whole new set of problems that have proved too overwhelming to handle without the big man.
During the regular season, Valanciunas was the team’s third-ranked scorer with a career-high 12.8 points, and his 9.1 rebounds per game led the team.
It’s likely Cleveland would win the series, regardless, given the team’s experience, talent and depth. However, without their center, the Raptors have been getting abused the past couple of games in the paint.