Follow Us
As the Toronto Raptors prepare for their first game back from the All-Star break, they’ll be doing so without forward OG Anunoby who popped up on the injury report for their matchup against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night with a right ring finger fracture. The Raptors haven’t divulged any further information regarding Anunoby’s injury, so it’s unclear when he sustained the injury. A timeline for his return is unknown at this time.
Read more: DeMar DeRozan extends scoring streak by hitting another game-winner
Depending on the severity of the injury, this could be a sizable blow for a Toronto team that was on the rise before the All-Star break. The Raptors currently occupy the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference, with just a game separating them and the sixth-placed Boston Celtics. There are also several teams behind Toronto also fighting for playoff positioning, as the Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets and Atlanta Hawks are within five games of the Raptors.
Prior to this injury, Anunoby was having another standout year for Toronto. He was averaging a career-high in points (17.5), while also putting up 5.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Anunoby’s presence will be sorely missed on defense, as he’s often tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best player, and has become a stout defender capable of guarding multiple positions.
Read more: Devin Booker dishes out 12 assists in absence of injured Chris Paul
In Anunoby’s absence, the Raptors could go with Khem Birch in the starting lineup, and it also means that Thaddeus Young — who was acquired at the trade deadline — is even more important to Toronto coming off the bench. Anunoby being sidelined may also put more responsibility on the shoulders of rookie Scottie Barnes on the defensive side of the ball, something that shouldn’t be an issue given how impressive he’s been on that end of the floor this season.
We’ll have to wait and see how long Anunoby is sidelined for to get an accurate picture of how this will impact the Raptors for the rest of the season, but the timing of the injury certainly isn’t ideal as Toronto chases a playoff spot.
