Bad Injury News For Toronto Raptors

 

The Toronto Raptors have had an up-and-down start to the season, at 7-8, but one of the constants has been the inspired play of breakout forward OG Anunoby. Now comes word that he will be out "for a while" with a hip injury suffered in practice.

OG Anunoby is out tonight with a hip injury and might be for a while. 😞 pic.twitter.com/alZVoGjvkD

— theScore (@theScore) November 18, 2021

It's being labeled as a hip pointer, and is terrible news for the Raptors, as Anunoby's one-on-one defensive lockdown abilities will be sorely missed, as well as his career-high 20 points per game. 

Be it catch-and-shoot, or creating off the dribble, Anunoby has taken his offensive game to a whole new level this season. His usage rate has soared and the team's reliance on him at the offensive end is at an all-time high. His 75 fourth-quarter points rank 8th in the entire NBA. 

The injury occurred during a quick workout in Portland, before the team headed to Utah, in the midst of a gruelling six-game road trip out west. 

The Raptors have had a series of injuries this season which has left them without a consistent starting lineup. Pascal Siakam only returned from off-season shoulder surgery a few games back, and big men Precious Achiuwa and Khem Birch have missed time more recently. 

Head coach Nick Nurse will once again have to shuffle the deck, and try out some new lineup options. 

Photo Credit:  Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports