Raptors guard Norman Powell out indefinitely with hand injury

Andrew G. Zuber
Updated ·1 min read
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 22: Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors warms up prior to their NBA game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Scotiabank Arena on January 22, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
Norm Powell will be out indefinitely with a hand injury. (Getty)

The Toronto Raptors announced on Saturday afternoon that shooting guard Norman Powell suffered a hand injury against the Detroit Pistons and will be out indefinitely.

Powell sustained a fracture of the fourth metacarpal on his left hand during the fourth quarter of Friday evening’s game in Detroit, according to a release from the team — which added that Powell will be reassessed at an appropriate time.

The injury comes at an especially unfortunate time for Powell, who was enjoying the best stretch of basketball of his career. Averaging career highs with 15.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 28.2 minutes in 38 games this season, he served as a crucial piece for the team, able to contribute both as a starter and off the bench, and has scored 20 or more points 12 times this season.

An untimely injury is nothing new for Powell, who has dealt with a number of issues with his shoulder since November 2018. He missed 11 games earlier this season from mid-December to mid-January, emerging from the absence by rattling off six straight games of 20-plus points.

Powell’s injury adds to an already long list of key rotation pieces slated to miss time this season. The Raptors have had 13 different players miss games this season due to injury, accounting for a total of 163 man games lost, fifth most in the NBA.

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