TORONTO – Chris Boucher is about to make his return to the Raptors lineup, and his timing couldn’t be higher.
The 28-year-old from Montreal sat out your entire pre-season after dislocating his left center finger in apply. Boucher stated after morning shootaround that he’d been cleared to return for Wednesday night time’s season opener in opposition to the visiting Washington Wizards.
The night time marked the staff’s first regular-season recreation at Scotiabank Area since Feb. 28, 2020 — 600 days in the past.
“It’s an opportunity for me to point out individuals what I’m doing, however I additionally assume it’s good to have the ability to play in entrance of my household in mates,” Boucher stated. “Once we had been in Tampa, although I felt like I had a terrific season, I couldn’t do it in entrance of my household and followers.
Associated Movies
“I’m actually excited to pursue what I’ve been doing and to only carry on serving to this staff to get to the place we need to be.”
The Raptors had been pressured to make Tampa, Fla., their residence final season due to protocols and border restrictions round COVID-19.
Boucher averaged 13.6 factors, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per recreation final season. He signed a two-year deal price US$13.5 million contract a 12 months in the past and shall be an unrestricted free agent following the 2021-22 season.
Boucher stated he suffered the harm taking part in five-on-five in coaching camp. He had surgical procedure to realign the bones.
“I used to be placing my hand up and Valuable (Achiuwa) got here full pace and my finger simply bought jammed into his physique,” Boucher stated. “It doesn’t actually harm after I get the ball and after I’m dribbling and it doesn’t actually have an effect on my taking pictures. So Alex (McKechnie, the staff’s vice-president of well being and efficiency), he checked out it and stated I used to be good relying on how the ache was and there’s no ache so I assume we’re prepared for the sport.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Oct. 20, 2021.
© 2021 The Canadian Press
