MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – When word came down that Matt Thomas was out with a finger injury to his non-shooting hand on Nov. 25, barely anyone batted an eye, believing the Toronto Raptors sharpshooter would merely miss a week or two tops and be back without any worry.
But as weeks kept stretching on and on without any definitive update on Thomas’s status, compounded with an assortment of other injuries and nights of awful three-point shooting, something seemingly inconsequential suddenly started to become a big problem.
That’s why, 44 days and 21 games since he last played on Nov. 23, it was a welcome sight to see Thomas back on the basketball court for an organized game – even if it was in a G League affair.
“When you’re forced to sit out it definitely makes you appreciate when you are healthy and I’m just grateful that I am now, and I’m happy to be here and I’m excited to play,” Thomas said before making his Raptors 905 debut against the Erie Bayhawks on Monday.
Announced earlier in the day that he would be down with the 905 on a rehab stint, Thomas started the game and saw mixed returns from his performance as he finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, but only shot 7-for-19 from the field and 2-for-8 from three-point range in 34 minutes played.
To point out the obvious, Thomas, a three-point marksman expected to knock down open shots while with the Raptors, wasn’t very accurate Monday night — something that would be concerning if not for the fact he was coming off, essentially, a six-week layoff and definitely still needs time to adjust.
“I felt good,” Thomas said after the 905’s 124-114 victory at Paramount Fine Foods Centre. “I mean, my body felt good. But, to be honest, I haven’t played 34 minutes since I was in college. In Europe, the rotations are a lot tighter – even the starters play only like 20 minutes a game – so that was definitely different, but my body felt good for the most part. You can’t really simulate a game, but all the cardio and extra conditioning I’ve been doing has definitely paid off.”
Because the injury Thomas suffered was to his non-shooting hand, he was able to do just about everything during his time off except participate in anything involving contact for fear that an errant slap on the wrist, or anything else like that, might re-aggravate it. As such, a common sight at practice at OVO Athletic Centre over the past few weeks was Thomas doing sprints and other activities by himself.
Still, nothing can simulate live game action, and it appeared to show in Thomas’s shooting line against the Bayhawks.
That’s something probably for the best, because there’s a good chance Thomas makes his NBA return Tuesday evening when the Raptors take on the Portland Trail Blazers at Scotiabank Arena, and they likely can’t afford an off-night from him the way the 905 were able to absorb it.
“Get those misses out now and tomorrow when he gets in the game I wouldn’t expect him to miss any shots,” said Thomas’s teammate Stanley Johnson. “That dude’s been making shots his whole life, so I wouldn’t be worried at all.”
Johnson, like Thomas, was also down with the 905 Monday night — not necessarily on a rehab stint, but to get some valuable reps and playing time he hasn’t been able to get with the Raptors.
Finishing with a team-high 24 points to go along with 11 rebounds, Johnson looked equal parts strong and completely out of sorts as he went 8-for-24 from the floor and 2-for-10 from three-point range.
WHEELS UP @iAmSJ pic.twitter.com/eYJZgqMkOz
— Raptors 905 (@Raptors905) January 7, 2020
Johnson recently returned to action on Christmas Day after a groin ailment cost him 19 games, but he had been getting such sparse playing time with the Raptors.
As such, he was happy for the opportunity to play with the 905, even if he was a fair bit rusty.
“I’m trying to find a role here since I’ve been out almost as long as Matt,” said Johnson. “So this has really helped me and now I know I can feel a couple shots and get to the rim and stuff like that.”
Malcom Miller also played with the 905 Monday and recorded six points and six rebounds on 1-for-6 shooting.
Part of the reason Johnson and Miller, who have normally exclusively played for the Raptors this season and not the 905, were sent down to the G League is because of the two 10-day contract call-ups received by now-former 905 guards Justin Anderson and Paul Watson.
“For me, personally, that is why I coach,” said 905 head coach Jama Mahlalela. “That to me is the epitome of what we do. Especially for those two young men, and for Paul specifically who hasn’t touched the NBA until now. I was the first person he told. His agent told him and then we walked out of the gym in Grand Rapids, and I could see on his face something was up. He called me over, and [had a] little tear in his eye, but it was incredibly special and he wanted to share it with me. …
“And I think Justin, who’s been in the NBA, what he said was really telling. He said once you’re out of the NBA, it’s hard to get back. And he felt so privileged and blessed that we provided an opportunity for him to get back.”
The sudden roster turnover and need to have guys like Thomas, Johnson and Miller fill in also happened to coincide with a pretty special event on the 905 calendar: Fred VanVleet bobblehead day.
Fans entering the building were given bobbleheads and, in a nice show of support, VanVleet showed up to the game, along with just about every other Raptors player and staff member who was available that evening, including Pascal Siakam, Norman Powell and head coach Nick Nurse.
2 #GLeagueAlums checkin' in at the @Raptors905 game
Nick Nurse @npowell2404 pic.twitter.com/VOJbSCz4b2
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) January 7, 2020
“I did get a bobblehead. I’m gonna see if I can get Freddy to sign that so I can get that on the market,” said Thomas, jokingly. “But no, it’s great to see. … You wouldn’t see that in a lot of other organizations. Some of the top players on the NBA team coming down and supporting the G League team.”
Added Johnson: “This is my first year with the Raptors organization and I think it’s been very clear from this start this is a family organization. So, we don’t treat the 905 like a distant cousin or anything like that. We’re all brothers, we all come here and support.”
Coming out to a minor league game and showing support is a nice gesture, for sure, but it wouldn’t be possible if not for the fact that the 905 play merely a half-hour away from Toronto.
This is a convenience that helps not only with team bonding and organizational comradery, but also with seemingly out-of-the-blue rehab stints such as was needed with Thomas.
“It’s nice, not being able to travel, just hopping in the car and driving 30, 40 minutes down here. It’s very valuable,” said Thomas. “I think a lot of other teams have their G League affiliate not as close, and I think it’s very valuable to have it so close to allow a night like this to happen where guys like myself can get down and play to get back from rehab and then not miss a beat and still be able to go out and play tomorrow with the Raptors.”
It wasn’t exactly the triumphant return to the court Thomas was looking for Monday night, but it was still a return nonetheless. One that wouldn’t be possible without the existence of the 905, and one that still appeared to get the stamp of approval from the Raptors themselves.
“At the end of the game coach Nurse thanked us for getting the guys warmed up for their next outing now,” said Mahlalela. “So that’s what this is about.”
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