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PHILADELPHIA – Toronto Raptors striker Pascal Siakam has been tainted in the right calf and has been dubious for the fourth game of the semifinal series of the Raptors conference against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.
Siakam said Saturday that he had been injured in the calf during the Raptors' 116-95 loss to Philadelphia in Thursday's third match, but that he no longer remembered the exact moment the injury had occurred place.
"I do not know exactly when it happened, but after the match, I was as if I really hurt," Siakam said. "I think it calmed down a bit, then I felt worse."
Siakam has not been able to do much physical activity in the leg since Thursday. The calf has undergone treatment, including ice and light movement therapy, he said.
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A favorite to win the NBA's Most Improved Player Award, Siakam has become one of the most consistent Raptors offensive producers behind Kawhi Leonard this post-season. This spring, in eight playoff games, Siakam averaged 22.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists, with a winning percentage of 56.9. Siakam is also a versatile defenseman who has kept the five positions for the Raptors at various times over the past two seasons.
The absence of Siakam could challenge the Raptors because the team is already unqualified, striker OG Anunoby, who underwent an emergency appendectomy just before the start of the playoffs.
"With the Olympics, this is not the ideal position for us," said Raptors coach Nick Nurse. "We are a little skinny there."
Each scenario presents a different complication for Toronto. The nurse suggested Raptor substitute guard Fred VanVleet as an option, noting that the team had been successful with the pace and movement of the ball when VanVleet played in a three-guard formation. . In 56 minutes on the floor with the backyard and Leonard starting, VanVleet's makeup averaged 116.7 points per 100 possessions, with a net mark of over-46.8.
However, replacing Siakam with a perimeter player would further disadvantage the Raptors compared to an exceptionally long Philadelphia team that injured Toronto on offense.
"The size has been a problem," said the nurse. "We knew the series was going to take on a lot of positions."
The Raptors could also choose to start saving great man Serge Ibaka, who had difficulties in the series. The nurse also suggested another possibility, Patrick McCaw, who was only 6 years old, since recently since the return of a right thumb injury. The introduction of McCaw into the starting lineup would allow the Raptors to retain their current rotation, Nurse said.
Raptors goaltender Kyle Lowry said it was imperative for the rest of the team to compensate in order to help lead scorer Kawhi Leonard.
"Kawhi has been incredible in the playoffs, Pascal has been amazing," Lowry said Saturday. "As players around these players, we usually have to tackle, shoot a few shots, be more aggressive, make more mistakes, try to do more things to help ease the burden of the brand."
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