Raptors news: OG Anunoby frustrated about his condition, but say it's a learning experience

OG Anunoby has had two promising seasons with the Raptors, but the 21-year-old has been noticeably absent for his team’s run through the Eastern Conference.

OG Anunoby has had two promising seasons with the Toronto Raptors, but the 21-year-old has been noticeably absent for his team’s run through the Eastern Conference.

Ahead of his team’s first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history, Anunoby answered questions on the emergency appendectomy that he had the day before the Playoffs began. Notably, for the first time since the procedure, Anunoby was listed as questionable ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday, May 30.

For the first time since his appendectomy on the eve of the playoffs, OG Anunoby is listed as questionable for Game 1 of the NBA Finals tomorrow.

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) May 29, 2019

According to Blake Murphy of The Athletic, the reason that Anunoby has been out for so long is that his appendix burst before the surgery took place, and there were infection complications after the procedure took place.

OG Anunoby confirms his appendix ruptured before the surgery and the surgery had infection complications.

— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) May 29, 2019

While all of this is likely stressful and difficult, the second-year wing out of Indiana University has taken it as a learning opportunity. Because of all his time out recuperating from what was likely a fairly difficult surgery, Anunoby has been studying the teams his Raptors have bested in the Playoffs, per Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports.

Anunoby said he's taking his recovery day by day but he's feeling better, hopes to be back soon. "It's been frustrating. Of course I want to play. But I'm taking it as a learning experience, just watching guys, seeing how they play, seeing the team's schemes and trying to learn."

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) May 29, 2019

With a tilt against the three-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, Anunoby will likely have a lot to learn in this series too.

After a promising first season in the NBA after being drafted 23^rd overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, Anunoby backslid slightly in the 2018-19 season despite carrying a similar minutes load. The rise of Pascal Siakam as a potential Most Improved Player likely ate into Anunoby’s minutes, but the London-born player is taking it all in stride – showing that the Raptors’ future (even in a post-Kawhi Leonard world) is bright.