Raptors lose Jonas Valanciunas for rest of series vs. Heat

Jonas Valanciunas, who's been so big for Toronto in the post-season, was on his way to what might have been one of the biggest games of his career Saturday night when he crumpled to the floor in agony.

The Raptors are about to find out just how big he was.

Valanciunas has been ruled out of the Eastern Conference semifinal against the Miami Heat with a sprained ankle.

"Big, big, big, big, big blow for us," Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri said Sunday. "Big blow for JV. ... But you know what? This is the life in the NBA and we carry on."

Valanciunas was averaging 15 points, 12.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 10 playoff games this season.

Through three games of this series, he averaged 18.3 points and 12.7 boards, and he already had 16 points and 12 boards when he limped to the locker-room in the third quarter Saturday just a day after his 24th birthday.

"He's been playing so well," Toronto guard Kyle Lowry said. "He was hitting such a great peak right now. His confidence was sky-high. But for us as a team, it's next man up."

Raptors coach Dwane Casey said he didn't think the ankle injury was severe until the medical staff informed him he was out for the game.

"He's a tough kid. . . but once he didn't come back I knew it was (serious), because he's usually 'Tape me up Tyler, get back in there' type of kid," Casey said.

"Jonas was getting better every game at doing something, whether playing with confidence, screening properly, defending his position, doing a better job in the pick and roll defensive schemes. He was growing and it's unfortunate because I thought[Saturday]night was going to be one of his best performances."