A difficult surgery which lasted over three hours is what has kept Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby from playing in the first two rounds of the NBA Playoffs.
Anunoby underwent an emergency appendectomy two days before Toronto was due to open the post-season against the Orlando Magic.
Raptors head coach Nick Nurse said on Sportsnet 590 The Fan’s Prime Time Sports that he doesn’t anticipate Anunoby playing in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks.
“It was tough. It was a tough one,” Nurse said Tuesday about the surgery, which normally takes around an hour to complete.
“I feel so bad for him.”
An infection during the surgery is what made the surgery rough, Nurse said.
Anunoby did some light work at practice Tuesday and the team is expected to get a better idea next week as to whether he can increase his activity.
Nurse said Anunoby would most likely be able to play for the Raps in the NBA Finals should they advance past Milwaukee.
The appendectomy isn’t the only ailment which has kept the 21-year-old out of the lineup this season. He’s sat out 15 games for various reasons including a sprained wrist, concussion-like symptoms and personal reasons.
Anunoby shot 45.3 per cent in 67 regular season games while averaging seven points and 2.9 rebounds.
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