Delfino injury worry for Argentina

Aug 19, 2007 - 3:01 PM By Matias Greco Special to PA SportsTicker

SAN JUAN, Argentina (Ticker) - Carlos Delfino is a major injury concern for Argentina ahead of its FIBA Americas Championship opener against Uruguay on Thursday.

The Toronto Raptors guard is suffering from tendinitis in his right knee following a warmup tournament in Puerto Rico, but the injury is not serious enough for Argentina to pull him out of the competition.

"The knee hurt all night," Delfino told the La Nacion newspaper in his homeland. "It is the same knee I had surgery on two years ago and that is what makes me worry the most. I cannot stretch the leg much."

National team doctor Diego Grippo is confident Delfino will be ready to go in a matter of days.

"Delfino has tendinitis in his kneecap prompted by a blow to the knee," he said. "It limits the movement of the knee, but physiotherapy will help it disappear in a few days."

The Raptors have called Delfino to discover the extent of the injury, but the 24-year-old, a summer acquisition from the Detroit Pistons, told them he would be okay in the long term.

"I really don't know why they called about this," he said. "I know it's not serious, but I worry because I cannot get out of mind how much I have suffered with this knee."

The FIBA Americas Championship tips off on Wednesday in Las Vegas.