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Raptors center Marc Gasol leaves game against Pistons with hamstring strain

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Marc Gasol of the Toronto Raptors, a three-time All-Star, was in some obvious discomfort while playing defence in Detroit on Wednesday. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Marc Gasol of the Toronto Raptors, a three-time All-Star, was in some obvious discomfort while playing defence in Detroit on Wednesday. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

The Toronto Raptors will be without their starting center for the foreseeable future.

Marc Gasol was running towards Toronto’s defensive end as the Detroit Pistons came down the floor in transition at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday night when he suddenly pulled up and began to limp. The 34-year-old appeared to be in some serious discomfort and was clutching his left leg.

Gasol left the game immediately and the team announced shortly after his departure that he would not return due to a left hamstring strain. According to Ryan Wolstat of Postmedia, Gasol was seen limping when he left the building after the final buzzer. He will be evaluated further on Thursday.

The Raptors were leading 21-17 in the first quarter when Gasol went to the locker room with trainer Alex McKechnie for evaluation. Toronto went on to win the game 112-99 to improve to 19-8 in 2019-20.

In 26 contests this season, Gasol is averaging 29 minutes, 6.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

The tall Spaniard wasn’t the only Raptors star to exit Wednesday night’s game early due to injury. Norman Powell left with an apparent shoulder issue late in the fourth quarter. He was seen with his shoulder in a sling postgame, per Wolstat.

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