Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby expected to return Saturday vs. Dallas Mavericks

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The Toronto Raptors should be receiving some relief to their recent injury woes soon.

According to multiple reports, Raptors head coach Nick Nurse told reporters prior to the team's game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday that he expects starting forward OG Anunoby back in the lineup on Saturday when they close out their five-game road trip against the Dallas Mavericks.

The third-year forward will likely miss just one full game after suffering an eye injury early in the first quarter against the LA Clippers on Monday. Anunoby was inadvertently poked in the eye by former teammate Kawhi Leonard, causing an injury that has been ruled as an eye contusion.

Anunoby's injury resulted in some sensitivity to light but, in good spirits, the Raptors shared a video of him wearing protective eyewear to their Twitter account on Tuesday.

He even took to Twitter himself to share a message of appreciation to his followers:


The 22-year-old has been a key contributor for the Raptors early on this season; he entered Monday's game averaging a career-high 13.0 points to go along with 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.3 steals.

Upon Anunoby's return, Toronto will have some order restored in its starting lineup but still awaits the return of Kyle Lowry (thumb), who will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Joining Lowry on the inactive list is big man Serge Ibaka, who is out indefinitely with a sprained ankle.

Anunoby's expected return will be Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. as the Raptors visit the Mavericks on TSN,

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Gilbert McGregor is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News.