Related: Bosh Injured In Raptors' Road Loss | Bosh Named Player Of The Week Video: Bosh Gets Elbowed | Game In Six: TOR @ CLE | Triano | Jack | Weems Discuss It On: Twitter | Facebook | Raptorspace April 7, 2010 TORONTO (CP) -- The Toronto Raptors will likely have to do without all-star forward Chris Bosh for at least the remainder of the regular season.
Bosh remained in a Cleveland hospital after undergoing surgery Wednesday afternoon for a displaced nasal fracture suffered in a loss to the Cavaliers a night earlier. He was expected to return to Toronto on Thursday.
Raptors medical director and orthopedic surgeon Paul Marks said Bosh would be re-evaluated in 7-to-10 says, all but eliminating any chance of him returning for the team's final five regular-season games.
``No one has a crystal ball,'' said Marks. ``But if you look at the time frames, as the calendar barrels down on us, we're looking at (7-to-10 days), so each of us can surmise from there.''
The Raptors play their final five games over the next eight days, wrapping up their season next Wednesday against the New York Knicks.
Bosh also suffered a non-displaced maxilla fracture in his right cheekbone, which did not require surgery. That injury wasn't as big a concern as the nasal fracture, which required surgeons to reset the broken bone and protect the area so it could heal properly.
Marks said it could have been worse.
``It's not a fracture that required screws or plates or anything like that,'' said Marks. ``It's just a small flap of bone that has been put back in position so that it maintains that structural integrity.''
Bosh was left bloodied after an inadvertent elbow from Antawn Jamison early in the 113-101 loss. Bosh had a CT scan after the incident but returned to the arena in the fourth quarter.
``He's in good spirits,'' said Marks. ``We've spoken with him. He's comfortable now.''
Marks said Bosh may be able to play with a fitted orthopedic mask after doctors have established that the injury is healing well.
``At the appropriate juncture, a decision will be made for that to be done, potentially,'' said Marks. ``It's something where you have to wait for some of the swelling to come down and make sure that someone's comfortable, and that the bone has had a chance to set. And that takes a certain amount of time.''
The Raptors are clinging to the No. 8 playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, a half-game up on the Chicago Bulls for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference after losing 115-104 to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.
Raptors head coach Jay Triano called on the rest of the team to step up in Bosh's absence. The 25-year-old is averaging 24.3 points and 11 rebounds a game.
``When you have a guy that scores and averages what he does, everybody has to pick it up a notch. Guys who score 10, 15 (points) might have to step it up a little bit. Defensively, we'll have to play guys that maybe haven't played as many minutes in the past.
``It's obviously very difficult. He's our focal point offensively, (and) he's very adept at our defensive coverages.''
Triano said the team has remained upbeat.
The morale is not bad,`` said Triano. ''These guys, immediately after the game they were like, ``Okay, it's time to rally. It's time to go. Let's do this.'
``Different teams for different reasons lose people throughout the year, whether it's injury or trade. When something like this happens, it's time to rally. It's not time to fold the tents.''