Toronto Raptors guard Jose Calderon (8), of Spain, gets past Memphis Grizzlies defenders Ronald Murray (6) and Ronald Dupree (12) in the first half of an NBA preseason game on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, in Memphis, Tenn.Lance Murphey/The Associated Press
On what was the final day of training camp for the the Toronto Raptors, the sight of veteran point guard Jose Calderon falling to the ground clutching at his right knee, was not something head coach Dwane Casey was gambling on.
Calderon hurt himself in the fourth quarter during Sunday's inter-squad game here at Casino Rama, an event thrown primarily for the team's corporate supporters as Toronto readies for the beginning of the National Basketball Association regular season.
A bit later it was guard John Lucas III who hit the deck on the temporary court that was installed for the occasion at this gambling mecca, located about 90 minutes north of Toronto.
And this was after forward DeMar DeRozan was forced from the game after he took a poke in the eye.
Afterward, Casey was hopeful none of the injuries are serious in nature and is keeping his fingers crossed that they will not result in any lost time for the players.
The Raptors open the NBA regular season against the Indiana Pacers at the Air Canada Centre on Wednesday night.
"It's one of those things," Casey shrugged. "Anytime you walk on the court there's a possibility of injury."
Casey said that Calderon, who did not speak with reporters after the scrimmage, got kneed in the thigh. Calderon tweeted that he took a hit to his knee and that he was okay.
"I'm fine, just banged up a little," Lucas said afterwards. "I'll be ready to go on Wednesday."
Calderon hurt himself after tangling with Andrea Bargnani and fell immediately to the floor in some pain.
He was eventually helped to the bench and later, with the assistance of two Raptor staffers, gingerly made his way off the court for further medical assessment.
Lucas hurt himself after getting tangled up with Quincy Acy and twisting his knee awkwardly.