Raptors forward OG Anunoby has been ruled out for Thursday’s game vs. Utah due to a hip pointer, tweets Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca. Head coach Nick Nurse said today that the injury could keep Anunoby out for “a while,” Grange adds.
Nurse’s wording is vague and the club hasn’t announced a more concrete recovery timeline, but a hip pointer can be a week-to-week injury, depending on the severity. Anunoby apparently injured his hip during a Raptors practice earlier this week, according to Doug Smith of The Toronto Star (Twitter link).
Anunoby, 24, has been the Raptors’ leading scorer through 15 games (37.3 MPG), averaging 20.1 PPG and 5.4 RPG on .430/.366/.825 shooting while providing his usual excellent defense.
Toronto figures to run out a more traditional starting five as long as Anunoby remains on the shelf. The team has been experimenting with Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, and Scottie Barnes in the starting lineup together alongside guards Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. Without Anunoby available, Siakam and Barnes will likely start at forward alongside a big man such as Khem Birch or Chris Boucher.
OG, Scottie, GTJ and Fred are the mainstays and LT future for Raps. Banton has great upside. Rest of team are dispensible.
Seems like everyone’s so quick to give up on Siakam, even though he’s 27.
I think we just need a more traditional C, Siakam is just the odd man out in that group. We still like Siakam!
Raps record without Siakam: 7-4
Raps record with Siakam 0-5
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Never seen this coming. In my defense, I didn’t really watch him a lot. I thought it take 2-3 yrs at best. He’s for real, great pick by Raptors.
1. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
Season stats: 16.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.8 apg
And he plays D and plays smart. Has a long body. And is very athletic.