The Toronto Raptors desperately need someone to give Kawhi Leonard some help in their series against the Philadelphia 76ers. The guy who has operated as Robin to Leonard’s Batman the most frequently in this series has been Pascal Siakam, but as we learned on Saturday, there’s a chance he won’t be able to go in Sunday’s Game 4.
According to the Raptors, Siakam is doubtful to take the floor due to a calf contusion. The Swiss Army Knife of a wing met with reporters after this was announced and repeatedly said his calf was bothering him.
Pascal Siakam is doubtful for Game 4 with a calf contusion.
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) May 4, 2019
Siakam said several times his calf is sore. Hopes to run today and test it out.
— (((Eric Koreen))) (@ekoreen) May 4, 2019
It’s unclear when the injury happened, but some have pointed out that when Siakam stuck his leg out and tripped Joel Embiid in Game 3, which resulted in a flagrant foul, he used his right leg and the Sixers star made contact with his calf.
Pascal Siakam received a Flagrant 1 for tripping Joel Embiid ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/ECEqsixq8E
— ESPN (@espn) May 3, 2019
With one day until Game 4 tips off in Philly, this obviously is a bit of a fluid situation, and anything can happen after a day of testing out the injury and some rest. But still, Siakam potentially being unable to play would be a horrific loss for the Raptors. Nick Nurse responded by suggesting that his absence would lead to a new player entering the rotation, although he did not specify who that would be.
Nurse says if Siakam doesn't play, a new player would likely be introduced into the series.
— (((Eric Koreen))) (@ekoreen) May 4, 2019
Still, Toronto has really struggled with Philadelphia’s size and physicality over the last two games of the series, and the team doesn’t really have anyone who can slide into Siakam’s spot and remedy that. Plus, when the third-year man out of New Mexico State has gone to the bench during this series, the results have not been particularly great: The team’s Offensive Rating of 106.8 and Defensive Rating of 108.2 — leading to a not ideal but not apocalyptic -1.4 Net Rating — with Siakam on the floor becomes an ORtg of 78.1 and a DRtg of 90.5 when he’s out.
Leonard will do all the stuff that makes him a superstar, but he can’t do it all. Toronto has needed guys like Marc Gasol and, especially, Kyle Lowry to give him some help, and that becomes amplified if Siakam is unable to play. We’ll have to wait until Sunday for a final ruling, but if Siakam can’t go, the Raptors will need someone(s) to come up huge to prevent the Sixers from bringing a 3-1 series lead to Toronto for Game 5.
