Raptors stats without OG Anunoby on offense show his importance

After a great start during November where they looked like a playoff team, the Toronto Raptors ended the month poorly and may be eyeing a lottery selection. One of the main reasons why they are struggling right now is the fact they are not at full strength, as OG Anunoby has been out for multiple weeks due to a hip pointer.

While losing Khem Birch to an injury certainly didn’t help Toronto find depth, nor did the sudden departure of Goran Dragic, but the fact that Anunoby hasn’t suited up in weeks has clearly taken a toll on this team on both sides of the ball.

Toronto isn’t as good offensively as they were at the beginning of the month because they don’t have Anunoby, who is one of their two best offensive players. The Raptors were 7-8 with him on the floor and 3-5 without him.

Anunoby’s ability to create his shot is much improved from what we’ve seen over the last few years, and his shooting remains elite. The Raptors miss No. 3 on offense, as some of the numbers without him are startling.

How is OG Anunoby helping out the Toronto Raptors this season?

Anunoby is averaging a career-high 20.1 points per game this season, and those numbers are even better in games where Toronto prevails. During the games that the Raptors won, Anunoby averaged 21.0 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, and 3.0 assists per game.

Whenever the Raptors win, Anunoby’s three-point field goal percentage is 35.8%. When they lose, that number dips down to 34%. There is a strong correlation between OG breaking out on the offensive end Toronto reeling off some wins.

As great of a defensive player as he is, the drop-off in offensive production without him is greater than the defensive drop. With Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr. both missing time, Toronto has felt the sting of losing him.

When Anunoby is on the floor, Toronto averages 110.8 points per 100 possessions. When he’s off the floor, it’s 107.5. Their effective field goal percentage is 51.7% whenever he’s playing. When he’s not playing, it shrinks to 47.9%.

If you want one game to serve as proof of his quality, look no further than his Nov. 1 game against the New York Knicks. Even though he had 36 points, six rebounds, and two assists in that game, the most important part of this game is how he attacked the rim and scored buckets all game long. He was the main reason why they came back in the third quarter.

Since Anunoby has been hurt, the team hasn’t been the same offensively. The offense improved since Trent came back from his injury, but if this Raptors team wants to go to the playoffs, they need OG Anunoby to come back as soon as possible.