After suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of the Chicago Bulls, OG Anunoby and the Toronto Raptors don’t have much time to recover. They have to play the Philadelphia 76ers at home, where Nick Nurse will be making his first trip back to Canada as head coach after five seasons away.
Toronto didn’t want to lose their best defensive player just before facing Joel Embiid, but after Anunoby departed their game against Chicago due to cramping, they may have to deal with that fact. Not even a day later, it is yet to be known if he can turn around and get back on the ground.
No matter what Toronto ends up doing with Anunoby, this game figures to be one of many incredibly tough matchups in an early-season schedule that has Toronto playing some of the best in the sport with frightening regularity.
OG Anunoby Injury Status for tonight’s game against 76ers
Anunoby hasn’t officially been ruled out for Toronto’s clash with Philadelphia. However, given the fact that Toronto is fresh off an overtime game the day before, they may play it cautiously this early in the season and tell him to take the night off.
Who would replace Player X in the lineup?
While Jalen McDaniels seems like the most natural replacement for him on the wing, it wouldn’t be surprising if Precious Achiuwa moved into the starting lineup for a game, Chris Boucher is rewarded with a start following his very impressive night, or Gary Trent Jr. starts at shooting guard.
Projected starting lineups tonight
Toronto
- PG Dennis Schroder
- SG Gary Trent Jr.
- SF Scottie Barnes
- PF Pascal Siakam
- C Jakob Poeltl
Philadelphia
- PG Tyrese Maxey
- SG De’Anthony Melton
- SF PJ Tucker
- PF Tobias Harris
- C Joel Embiid
Toronto Raptors next 5 opponents
After a home matchup with the Blazers, Toronto will embark on a 10-game stretch in which six of the next ten games are against the 76ers, Celtics, Bucks, or Mavericks. Toronto is being put through a gauntlet early in this season.
- Oct. 30 vs. Portland Trail Blazers
- Nov. 1 vs. Milwaukee Bucks
- Nov. 2 @ Philadelphia 76ers
- Nov. 5 @ San Antonio Spurs
- Nov. 8 @ Dallas Mavericks
Raptors injury report
- Christian Koloko-OUT-Respiratory Condition
76ers injury report
- James Harden-OUT-Holdout