The Toronto Raptors announced that forward-center Andrea Bargnani will miss the rest of the 2012-13 season due to an avulsion sprain in his right elbow, USA Today reported.
Bargnani left at the 3:08 mark of the first quarter during a 118-116 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, March 8 and did not return to the game. According to the Raptors, the injury is not similar to a previous right elbow injury that caused him to miss 26 games this season.
Bargnani averaged 12.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 28.7 minutes per game this season. His most productive scoring season was in 2010-11 when he put up 21.4 points per game. Since then, his production has faltered.
There was widespread speculation that he would be traded prior to the February 21 deadline, but no actual deals came to fruition. The Raptors did obtain forward Rudy Gay in a three-team deal that also involved the Memphis Grizzlies and Detroit Pistons on January 30.
The 27-year-old Bargnani was the first overall pick during the 2006 NBA Draft. In 2009, Bargnani signed a five-year, $50 million contract and is due $23 million over the next two seasons.
After a 4-19 start, the Raptors’ current record stands at 25-40. They are fourth in the Atlantic Division and ninth overall in the Eastern Conference.
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