The Toronto Raptors were dealt a swift kick in the chest before their tussle against the Utah Jazz, as star forward OG Anunoby was sidelined due to a hip injury. Head coach Nick Nurse hinted that it may be a while before Anunoby is back on the floor for a Toronto team that is sliding right now.
Not only did Anunoby go into the Utah game as the leading scorer on the team, but he remained one of the most unique and productive defensive players in the game. Losing a player of his ilk means that the franchise must collectively step up until he is ready to go and fully healthy.
The Raptors are in the middle of a long road trip that doesn’t conclude until the end of the month. With the team currently falling down the Eastern Conference standings after a very hot start, a potential Anunoby absence could not have come at a worse time for all parties involved.
If Anunoby is going to either miss tons of time or play at less than 100% when he returns to action, the Toronto Raptors should expect these three players to end up taking on even more responsibility. This team can’t afford too many repeats of what happened against the Jazz on Thursday night.
These 3 Toronto Raptors must step up with OG Anunoby injured.
3. Gary Trent Jr.
Trent has been making headlines this season due to his gigantic improvement on the defensive side of the ball, but he’s still been tasked with playing an important role on the offensive end. Without a ton of shooting on this roster, Trent has been tasked with getting hot from the perimeter.
Trent, who has averaged 17.1 points per game on 45% shooting this season, appeared to have more offensive freedom without Anunoby on the floor. Trent amassed 31 points on 11-18 shooting, making him one of the few Raptors who managed to pull their weight in Thursday’s contest.
Toronto Raptors SG Gary Trent Jr. needs to replace OG Anunoby’s shooting.
Trent started hot against Utah, and Toronto is going to need a few more performances like that without Anunoby on the sideline for the time being. Trent is looking more efficient and confident than he did in Portland, so he is certainly capable of stepping up to the plate.
Anunoby’s development as a scorer and efficiency as a shooter are invaluable assets for this Toronto offense, and Trent will be required to pick up the slack if the Raptors are eventually going to get back in the win column.
2. Khem Birch
The Raptors chose to move Birch into the starting lineup now that Anunoby is injured, as moving Pascal Siakam to the power forward spot and going with a more traditional lineup seems to be the best way to start games off without OG. Birch wasn’t himself before the Utah game, and Toronto needs him to turn it around.
Birch started the Anunoby-less stint fairly well, putting up 14 points in 24 minutes despite getting matched up against some shot-blocking seven-footers in Rudy Gobert and Hassan Whiteside. That efficiency and willingness to assert himself had been missing from some of his earlier performances.
The Toronto Raptors will have to start Khem Birch without OG Anunoby.
Birch is not going to put up dominant offensive numbers every single game, but if he’s going to be trusted with a starting role due to the absence of Anunoby, we need to see that same finishing skill on display more frequently. His numbers during the Tampa stint as a starter were more than serviceable.
Birch’s generally poor shooting may make him less attractive than some big men out there, but the solution to Toronto’s woes inside may start with Birch upping his game. If he keeps playing that well, Nurse may need to consider sticking with him in the starting lineup.
1. Scottie Barnes
The Raptors are fond of players who fit the Anunoby archetype, as the idea of drafting another positionless dynamo in Scottie Barnes appealed to Masai Ujiri. So far, Barnes has done everything he can to show that Toronto made the correct move picking him No. 4 overall in the draft.
Barnes has already proven to be a solid interior finisher and rebounder at this level, but Scottie may use this time to show off just how much he’s improved his game. Barnes’ defensive prowess and ability to shoot from 3-point range will be tested in the coming games.
The Toronto Raptors will give Scottie Barnes a big role without OG Anunoby.
With Anunoby on the shelf, Barnes may be tasked with filling some of his defensive responsibilities. On offense, Barnes may need to start becoming more of a shooter. This will help both his development as a player and his ability to keep Toronto hot from deep without Anunoby active.
Toronto has to be thrilled with what Scottie has provided so far, but it would be nice to see him start to take that superstar turn and become even more of an offensive threat. Barnes could also put some distance between the competition in the Rookie of the Year race.