Toronto Raptors rookie OG Anunoby was in the midst of one of his best starts to any game this season on Wednseday night in Orlando, scoring ten points on a perfect 3-3 shooting (including a three-pointer), before spraining his right ankle after landing awkwardly on a drive to the rim.
Anunoby was forced to leave the game in the second quarter of the Raps’ 117-104 win, and did not return.
https://twitter.com/RaptorsMR/status/969017820875927552
With the severity of the injury unknown, it only opens up more questions about the Raptors’ depth at small forward. Anunoby has been a consistent presence for the team on defence, but has been in a prolonged slump offensively.
The 20-year-old returned to action months ahead of schedule to be ready for the start of the regular season after suffering a torn ACL during his final year at Indiana, and is possibly feeling the effects of the rookie wall.
While the long-term ramifications of his ankle injuries are still unknown (or at least haven’t been shared publicly), Anunoby will at least by sidelined in the short-term and has been listed as ‘doubtful’ for Friday’s matchup against the Washington Wizards:
The more pronounced struggles of third-year swingman Norman Powell makes the injury a legitimate concern for the Raptors.
Powell will have the opportunity to prove himself once more and is the likeliest replacement for Anunoby when the Raptors tip-off against Washington. Head coach Dwane Casey will most likely want to preserve a second unit that has been arguably the best in the league this season and provides the team with a distinct advantage over opponents.
Powell has seen his role and minutes reduced drastically and, since losing his spot in the starting lineup to Anunoby back in November, has been the odd-man out among both the starting unit and the team’s stellar bench unit starring C.J. Miles, Fred VanVleet, Delon Wright, Pascal Siakam, and Jakob Poeltl.
The 24-year-old guard replaced Anunoby on Wednesday night, and proceeded to go scoreless in 11 minutes of action, posting a stat line that featured zeros across the board.
Washington and Toronto tip-off Friday night with coverage beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET on Sportsnet ONE.
The fourth-seeded Wizards enter the game winners of five of their last seven and are without star point guard John Wall, who is recovering from knee surgery.
At 43-17, the Raptors remain a half game up on the Boston Celtics for first-place in the East. The Celtics face the Houston Rockets — winners of 14 straight — on Saturday night.
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