The Toronto Raptors stumbled late in the game before losing to the Phoenix Suns 114-106 at the Footprint Center on Monday.
• Also read: A great loss for the Raptors
• Also read: Raptors: OG Anunoby, most attractive player on the market?
After taking an 84-82 lead from behind in the fourth quarter, Nick Nurse’s men couldn’t stop the hungry Suns late in the game. Mikal Bridges, Chris Paul and DeAndre Ayton teamed up to take the game out of reach of the public.
It was a particularly difficult night from downtown for the Raptors, who succeeded on just nine of 33 attempts (27.3%). Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. were the top prolific players in the loss with 24 and 21 points, respectively.
Montreal’s Chris Boucher was more in demand than in his previous 18 games. In 24 minutes of play, he had 11 rebounds and five points.
Without Anunoby
At the heart of a crucial period in their schedule, the Raptors will be without the services of OG Anunoby for the next three games.
The London native injured his wrist in a fall in the 123-105 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. He didn’t fracture a bone, but will be sidelined for the remainder of the raps’ trip to the American West.
This season, Anunoby has averaged 16.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. He is also the tied leader in steals per game on the Silver Tour with a 2.1.
The 25-year-old athlete didn’t choose the moment to find himself on the ground. The “Raps” are trying to salvage their season and climb up the table to reach the playoffs. Ranked 12th in the Eastern Association, they must convince by the Feb. 9 transaction deadline to convince Toronto employees not to become a seller.
Anunoby is exactly one of the players that arouses the most interest from other teams. According to the FOX Sports Network, he wouldn’t be happy with the Raptors and might pack his bags if a team is willing to pay a maximum amount for his services.
The New York Knicks and Suns have reportedly knocked on the Queen City team’s door to take over Anunoby, who will receive an annual salary of $18.6 million through 2025.