Chris Boucher to miss 3-4 weeks after finger surgery

A quick bit of news hit before tip-off of tonight’s Toronto Raptors preseason game: Nick Nurse revealed that forward Chris Boucher needed surgery on a dislocated finger on his left hand, and will miss 3-4 weeks as he recovers.

That’s not the news you wanna hear right before the team takes the court!

Thankfully it’s not a long layoff for Boucher, and he can likely still participate in conditioning drills to make sure he’s ready to hit the ground running when he’s back.

Boucher had something of a breakout season last year, proving after some up-and-down play earlier in his career that he does have a role in the NBA. That role most likely is as a power forward, as he doesn’t have the strength to keep true centres off the block, and allows him to roam further out on defense for his signature move, blocking three-point shots.

And with a more traditional centre in the lineup in Khem Birch, Boucher should have a more natural fit on the court.

The 6’9” Boucher originally hails from Saint Lucia but grew up in Montreal. He averaged 13.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 60 games last season.

The Raptors tip off their preseason against the Philadelphia 76ers tonight.