Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby is progressing in his recovery from an appendectomy and was in good spirits at the team's practice facility on Monday, according to head coach Nick Nurse. Unfortunately, there's still no timetable for Anunoby's return to the court:
OG Anunoby is progressing in recovery from his appendectomy. He was at the Raptors facility today and Nurse said he looks good. "He was smiling and happy and moving around, which is a heck of a lot better than the last time I saw him at the hospital." No timetable for return.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) April 22, 2019
Anunoby underwent an emergency appendectomy right before the playoffs started. Initial reports suggested the forward would miss about two weeks of action, but there's also a chance he sits out until the conference finals.
While the 21-year-old will almost certainly not play in the Raptors' first-round series against the Orlando Magic, which could come to an end on Tuesday night, he hasn't been ruled out for the second round. Toronto is in line to play the Philadelphia 76ers in the East semifinals.
Anunoby is a key member of the Raptors' rotation off the bench. The second-year man averaged 7.0 points and 2.9 rebounds in 20.2 minutes per game during the regular season. He shot 45.3% overall and 33.2% on 3-pointers in 67 games played.
While those stats don't jump off the page, Anunoby makes an impact with his versatile defense. His presence would be useful against a Sixers team with tough covers like Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris.
For now, the Raptors are making do just fine without OG Anunoby against the Magic. Toronto has won three straight games after a shocking Game 1 loss on its home floor.
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