The Toronto Raptors will be without the services of their top scorer for the next two games.

The team announced on Monday that DeMar DeRozan will miss games this week with the San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies with a right ankle sprain. He will be reevaluated prior to a Friday night visit by the Milwaukee Bucks to the Air Canada Centre.

DeRozan, who was named as an Eastern Conference All-Star starter last Thursday, incurred the injury during the Raptors' Sunday night loss to the Phoenix Suns. He left the game early, late in the fourth quarter.

"It sucks because I tried to go in with the mindset this year of trying to play all 82 [games], " DeRozan told reporters on Monday, "But, you know, things happen and maybe this will just force me to sit down and get a rest for a couple of days and come back better."

With the Raptors having lost their last three games and eight of their last 15, DeRozan recognizes that the timing of his absence isn't exactly fortuitious, but sees a silver lining.

"When it rains, it pours sometimes," DeRozan said. "You just got to figure that part out and once you get through that part of it, it always comes out to be worth it. That's how I always look at it. I think I'm just an optimistic type of guy."

DeRozan will look to his teammates to step up in his stead.

"It sucks having to watch, but you see that sense of urgency step up a lot more because guys understand that a lot needs to be filled [in]," DeRozan said. "Other guys have to step up. I'm pretty sure Kyle [Lowry] will have a different mindset coming in."

In 44 games this season, DeRozan is averaging 27.9 points on .473 shooting, 5.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 35.4 minutes a night.