“I’m going to try my best to get back by Wednesday.”
That was James Johnson after Saturday’s win over Utah—a game the Toronto Raptors forward was forced to leave following a fourth-quarter ankle injury.
But Johnson won’t be back tomorrow. In fact, there’s a distinct possibility that his absence from the lineup could be a lengthy one.
In a statement released by the team, Johnson’s injury was described as a “severe right ankle sprain.”
“There is no timetable for his return to basketball activity,” the statement continues. “His status will be updated as appropriate.”
Obviously, those words are significantly less optimistic than the approach Johnson took on Saturday night. And the Raptors must now move forward—for however long it takes Johnson to recover—without their best defender and, arguably, their best rebounder as well.
Through 10 games, Johnson provided exactly what Toronto was missing last year (especially in the playoffs): a tough, physical player that could defend multiple positions. His scoring and playmaking were added bonuses, and he quickly became as important to the second unit as Patrick Patterson, Greivis Vasquez or Lou Williams. Some even wondered if Johnson had done enough to earn a starting job ahead of Terrence Ross.
“I’m going to be alright, that’s all I know,” Johnson said. “That’s just me and that’s just my heart.”
Thanks to luck—and the standout efforts and expertise of Toronto’s training staff (Alex McKechnie, Scott McCullough, Rory Mullin, Ray Chow and Jon Lee)—the Raptors lost the fewest man-games to injury in the entire league last season.
This year, Toronto has already had to deal with some minor setbacks for Jonas Valanciunas (hand) and Amir Johnson (ankle). Fortunately, the two starters’ respective absences from the lineup were shortlived—part of the reason Johnson is confident the team’s trainers will get him back on the floor sooner rather than later.
“I know we’ve got a good staff here,” he said. “So I’m not worried about [the injury] at all.”
In the meantime, head coach Dwane Casey has a few hard decisions to make.
“[When] a man’s down, the next guy behind him has got to be ready to play [and] perform,” Casey said.
Johnson’s absence presents an opportunity for Landry Fields. The much-maligned forward came into camp with a positive attitude, despite knowing that he likely wouldn’t see many minutes this season. But Fields’s pine riding was predicated on the team staying relatively injury free. So, what does it mean if his number is called with Johnson out?
The Raptors would be giving up a lot on the offensive end. Fields himself has admitted that his shooting stroke—his arm itself—still isn’t right following ulnar nerve surgery last season. But defensively, Fields can provide a spark and his athleticism and nose for the ball on the glass could be assets.
If Casey is able to plug Fields into the second unit for the time-being, his rotation wouldn’t take a hit. Patterson, Vasquez, Williams and Tyler Hansbrough would still be used with the same frequency. And we all know how important continuity has been to this Raptors team.
If Fields isn’t able to fill in adequately, Casey could experiment with DeMar DeRozan at small forward from time to time, leaning on Vasquez or Williams to man the back court alongside Kyle Lowry. Ross—Toronto’s most reliable defender outside of Johnson—could also easily see his minutes increase.
“Injuries are a part of the NBA,” said Casey. “That’s why it’s important that everyone be ready and prepared to go at all times.”
The Raptors host the NBA’s No. 1 team, the Memphis Grizzlies, tomorrow night and, following a tilt against Milwaukee on Friday, Toronto will travel to Cleveland to see LeBron James and the Cavaliers on Saturday.
“It’s going to be a gang effort,” said Casey. “Somebody’s got to take up that slack. Next man up.”