Raptors center Valanciunas out at least four weeks after surgery

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas will be sidelined for at least four weeks after surgery on his left thumb, the team confirmed on Thursday.

The surgery was performed at Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto, California, by Dr. Jeffrey Yao, a specialist in hand, wrist and elbow surgery, the team said.

Valanciunas will be in a cast for four weeks, and then his status will be re-evaluated, the team added.

The injury occurred in the second quarter of Wednesday's victory at the Golden State Warriors. Valanciunas is averaging 12.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game this season.