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TORONTO -- Raptors point guard Jose Calderon was removed from the court on a stretcher and placed in a neck brace Sunday after injuring his lower back on a rebound.

Jose Calderon

Point Guard Toronto Raptors Profile

2007 SEASON STATISTICS GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT% 23 6.5 1.4 3.0 .487 .857

Tests revealed he sustained just a bruise to his left lower back and suffered no neurological or structural damage after an awkward fall, according to the Toronto Globe and Mail.

He's listed as day-to-day, and did not accompany the team on its flight to Phoenix for the start of Western Conference series but officials are hopeful Calderon will join the team for the final two games Thursday in Portland and Friday in Seattle.

He was hurt with 32 seconds left while blocking out Golden State's Mickael Pietrus. The game was delayed for several minutes as Calderon was motionless on the floor. The Raptors said he was being taken to the hospital for testing.

"He does have movement in all his limbs," Toronto spokesman Jim LaBumbard said.

LaBumbard said the 25-year-old player was smiling and gave a thumbs-up.

"He's in good spirits," he said.

Calderon, Toronto's backup point guard, helped lead Spain to a gold medal at the world championships in September. He entered the game averaging 6.5 points and 3.0 assists.

Teammate Jorge Garbajosa went with Calderon to the hospital.

"I think all the players are a little shook after what happened to Pape Sow this summer," coach Sam Mitchell said, referring to Sow's fractured vertebrae last summer. "Jose means a lot to us. Right now, basketball is secondary to Jose. We just hope he's OK."

Sow, who is sidelined for the season after neck surgery, was hurt driving to the basket preparing for the Las Vegas Summer League. His neck struck a player's leg as he went down.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press