Raptors centre Jonas Valanciunas ready to return from dislocated thumb

ATLANTA — The Toronto Raptors have confirmed that centre Jonas Valanciunas is ready to return to action after missing nearly two months with a dislocated left thumb.

The Raptors posted a picture of Valanciunas on their Twitter feed with the caption “I’m back.”

Barring a deal in advance of the trade deadline, Valanciunas will be in the Raptors lineup for their game Thursday night against the Atlanta Hawks.

Valanciunas and Serge Ibaka formed a potent combination at centre early in the season, something the Raptors have missed since the seven-foot Lithuanian was injured in a win at Golden State on Dec. 12. He has missed Toronto’s last 25 games.