Toronto Raptors centre Marc Gasol will not return to Tuesday night’s contest against the Atlanta Hawks with left hamstring tightness.
That hamstring is the same one that he injured earlier this season, causing him to miss 12 games (Dec. 20 to Jan. 12). The Raptors went 6–6 in his absence.
Toronto has dealt with a myriad of injuries this season, including ailments that have kept out their core players for lengthy periods of time. Despite this, the club has managed to claw its way to a 32–14 record, keeping itself in the conversation with the Eastern Conference’s elite.
The 35-year-old Spaniard is a vital piece to what the Raptors do on both ends, and has been the backbone of the team’s defence as well as a valuable long-range shooter and lethal passer.
Gasol is averaging 7.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists on 41.6 per cent shooting (39.3 per cent from distance) from the field.
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