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The Toronto Raptors played their first game of the 2018-19 season last night, but Delon Wright watched from the sidelines with a strained left thigh, and sophomore OG Anunoby left the game in the fourth quarter with an orbital bone contusion. How are things looking today?
According to reports, Wright’s participation in Thursday morning’s practice was limited mostly to a post-practice workout, although that workout seems to have been fairly intense:
Delon Wright didn't go through practice today (left adductor) but was going pretty hard in his post-practice workout with Phil Handy, so can't be far away, says Dr. Grange.
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) October 18, 2018
Sounds like an encouraging sign for Friday! Although Norman Powell played fairly well in what we can assume was Wright’s spot in the rotation last night, he can’t duplicate Wright’s craftiness and length; those are qualities the Raptors will need against the wing-deep Boston Celtics roster on Friday so if Wright can go, that’s great news.
As for Anunoby, he took a ball to the face last night, and as someone who took a basketball traveling at full speed to the face myself back in high school (literally the only time in my life I’ve seen stars) I can tell you it’s neither fun nor good. Head coach Nick Nurse seems optimistic that there are no long-term ill effects for OG:
Nurse said Delon Wright was able to do a bit more in practice today but still wasn't a full participant. Will likely be questionable for tomorrow. Sounds like OG Anunoby avoided any serious damage to his eye. Nurse said he should be fine.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) October 18, 2018
Again, this is a very positive sign as that Celtics matchup is one OG Anunoby is made for.
It’s only the second game of the season for both teams, so both will still be figuring things out on the court—but nevertheless, these two teams are eyeing each other for the Eastern Conference crown, and every game matters in the standings, so I for one want to see the Raptors go into this one at full strength.