Kleiza returns to the lineup for Raptors
Posted January 11, 2012 6:14 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The busy Toronto Raptors will have some extra help on Wednesday night when they take on the Sacramento Kings as Linas Kleiza will make his long-awaited return to the active roster.
Raptors coach Dwane Casey confirmed before the game that he was available to play but that he would likely see limited action.
“We are going to try and ease him back in. We need his scoring but we can’t put that kind of pressure on him,” Casey said.
The Lithuanian forward has not played since undergoing microfracture surgery on his knee last February.
Kleiza met with the physician who performed the surgery in Denver on Tuesday and was given clearance to return to active duty.
He has been practising with the team for a couple of weeks now but has not participated in full contract drills.
Kleiza averaged 11.2 points per game and 4.5 rebounds before the injury ended his season early.
