Raptors’ Precious Achiuwa Ruled Out Indefinitely

Toronto Raptors big man Precious Achiuwa recently sustained an ankle injury.

The injury list just keeps on growing for the Toronto Raptors. According to Tim Bontemps of ESPN, young big man Precious Achiuwa was recently diagnosed with partial tears of ligaments in his right ankle and will be sidelined for an indefinite period of time. This is another unfortunate setback for the Raptors, as they’re already without frontcourt star Pascal Siakam, who is currently sitting out due to a right adductor muscle strain. The Raptors already had to endure games without star point guard Fred VanVleet, but they managed to compile a decent 7-5 record to start the season.

But as for Precious Achiuwa, this ankle injury comes at a time when he has a great opportunity to progress individually. He has been a fixture in the Raptors’ rotation, averaging a decent stat line of 8.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.6 blocks through 12 games. Achiuwa has also compiled seven games in which he put up double digits in the scoring column, including double-double outings of 18 points and 11 rebounds and another game of 10 points and 22 rebounds. Both of these performances came against the Miami Heat, the same team that selected him 20th overall during the 2020 NBA Draft.

Without Achiuwa and Siakam in the frontcourt, the Raptors will have to lean on Scottie Barnes, OG Anunoby, Chris Boucher, and Christian Koloko. But if there is a team who could make the most out of its depleted roster, it will be the Raptors. Head coach Nick Nurse has proven time and again that he is one of the best at what he does, so look for the Raptors to still rack up the wins in the weeks to come.