Carter, Iverson Done for Season

Hours after the Toronto Raptors found out that Vince Carter will be lost for the season because of knee surgery, two other Eastern Conference teams watched their stars fall to injuries.

Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers and Tracy McGrady of the Orlando Magic both were hurt during games Friday with Iverson possibly out for the season after breaking a bone in his left hand.

“It’s four to six weeks so I’d imagine he’s done,” 76er Coach Larry Brown said. “The kid is playing as good as anyone. You just don’t replace him.”

McGrady was carted off on a stretcher after going down with severe back spasms in the second quarter of Orlando’s 106-92 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. The Magic will not have him back until next week at the earliest, Coach Doc Rivers said.

An MRI exam and X-rays taken at Florida Hospital were negative, although McGrady was to remain there overnight.

Earlier Friday, the Raptors learned that Carter, their leading scorer, will have surgery on his left knee next week and be sidelined for the rest of the regular season with the team almost certain to miss the playoffs.

“I wanted to continue to give it all I could. My goal is to be there for the team, but I couldn’t do it and be myself,” Carter said.

Iverson, the league’s leading scorer at 31.5 points per game, did not play in the second half of Philadelphia’s 96-91 victory over Boston.