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Even as shifting Kawhi Leonard onto Giannis Antetokounmpo has made a huge difference in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Toronto Raptors would no doubt prefer if they had another viable defender of the league's MVP frontrunner available. Unfortunately for Nick Nurse's team, though, O.G. Anunoby likely won't be healthy enough to return to the floor by the time the Eastern Conference champion is decided.
Nurse provided an update on the injured sophomore forward's status on Wednesday. While Anunoby is progressing in his recovery from an emergency appendectomy just before the start of the postseason, he still hasn't been cleared for contact more than a month after surgery, according to Josh Lewenberg of TSN.
Still no timetable for OG Anunoby, though Nurse said he's able to do more everyday. Next step is being cleared for contact, but doesn't sound like that's imminent. Don't expect to see him in this series.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) May 22, 2019
After a strong yet understated rookie season, Anunoby failed to take the step forward in 2018-19 that many anticipated. In 67 games during the regular season, all but six of which he came off the bench, the Indiana product averaged 7.0 points and 2.9 rebounds per game, shooting 45.3 percent overall and 33.2 percent from beyond the arc – meaningfully worse than his rookie year.
Still, at a sturdy 6-foot-8 with with a wingspan over 7-foot-2, Anunoby is one of the few players in basketball with the physical tools needed to potentially make life hard on Antetokounmpo. Fortunately, Toronto has two others players, Leonard and rising star forward Pascal Siakam, blessed with those traits, too. The depth disadvantage presented by Anunoby's absence has also been mitigated against the Bucks by the standout play of reserve guard Norman Powell.
Obviously the Raptors would be better off at full-strength. If Anunoby regains a clean bill of health in the next two weeks, his sudden addition to Toronto's lineup could loom large in a Finals matchup with Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors, too.
