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Toronto Raptors Anxiously Await Update on Patrick Patterson’s Injury

By Paul Taylor

Nov 11, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) stands on the court prior to the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) stands on the court prior to the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Patrick Patterson suffered a strained left knee against the Phoenix Suns, but with him admitting the pain is worrisome, how long will he be missing for the Toronto Raptors?

Things have been going extremely well for the Toronto Raptors this season. In fact, with the best start and most efficient offence in franchise history, maybe things were going a little too well. (Toronto sports fans everywhere will understand this sentiment.)

Certainly, consecutive losses to the Golden State Warriors and the lowly Phoenix Suns have brought the team and their fans back down to earth. However, the two defeats potentially pale in comparison to the sight of Patrick Patterson leaving Thursday night’s game with an injury and not returning.

Without a doubt, Patterson is one of the most important members on the Raptors’ roster. He may not be part of the starting lineup, but he is currently averaging a career high 28.4 minutes.

This speaks volumes about how much the 27-year old means to the team. He is one of their most potent three-point threats, averages nearly six boards per game and can defend most positions on the court.

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Speaking to the Toronto Star‘s Doug Smith and the rest of the media after the Suns game, Patterson admitted he wasn’t sure what caused the injury: “I just know I felt a sharp jolt, pain in my knee, and after that tried to run it off but it wasn’t happening.”

Regardless of how it occurred, the absence of the Washington, D.C. native undoubtedly impacted the rest of the team. As coach Dwane Casey told Smith: “It hurt us quite a bit.

“People were in different positions and (we were) trying to play catch-up…We weren’t moving, we weren’t playing with force.”

Of course, the main concern is how long Patterson will be missing for. The Raptors don’t play again until Sunday, but will he be back on the court against the Los Angeles Lakers?

If the 2010 14th overall draft pick’s comments to TSN’s Josh Lewenberg are anything to go by, it doesn’t sound too promising. As Lewenberg wrote: “Patterson said he’s never had knee problems before but admitted the pain is a bit worrisome. Did not sound good.”

On the flip side, the Raptors’ calling Patterson’s injury a strain is theoretically good news. This likely means it’s muscle-related rather than involving ligaments.

Either way, earlier this week, Casey stressed how much the two-time First-team All-SEC selection’s versatility means to the team: “Patrick’s like one of those Swiss Army knives. You need this? There’s Patrick. You need that? There’s Patrick.”

Pure and simple, the Raptors need Patterson. Coaches, teammates and fans alike now wait anxiously to find out how long they will need to survive without him.

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Regardless of how serious Patterson’s knee injury turns out to be, what’s your take on his importance to the Raptors? How confident would you be in the team’s ability to continue winning regularly without him? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

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