As Toronto continues its postseason run, it will be without second-year forward OG Anunoby for the foreseeable future.
Prior to Game 1 of the Raptors' first-round series with the Orlando Magic, the team announced that Anunoby would be out indefinitely after being diagnosed with acute appendicitis and undergoing an emergency appendectomy.
A report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski indicated that Anunoby could be out until "a potential berth in the Eastern Conference Finals."
Now, over two weeks following the procedure, Raptors head coach Nick Nurse told reporters, via the Athletic, "I don't think there's anything close at all," regarding Anunoby's return to action.
He continued, adding that his return is, in fact, something that is not to be counted on for a while.
"I think we're a long, long ways away."
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) April 30, 2019
I caught up with OG last night and he was in decent spirits, all things considered. Has done some light treadmill work, has another doctor's appointment today.
Anunoby's absence has been felt so far in the Eastern Conference Semifinals series as the Raptors' second unit has struggled to get going on the offensive end. During the regular season, the 21-year-old averaged 7.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.7 assists through 67 games.
With his extended absence, Toronto will continue to look for different reserves to step up on both ends of the floor.
The Raptors are back in action Thursday when they take on the Sixers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at 8 p.m. on SN1.