Toronto Raptors Forward Otto Porter Jr. Out With Season-Ending Injury

KEY POINTS

Otto Porter Jr. will miss the remainder of the 2022-2023 season after undergoing surgery
Porter signed with the Toronto Raptors in the off-season
Porter has played just 8 games, averaging 5.5 points per game

As if things couldn't get any worse for the struggling Toronto Raptors, the team will have to carry on for the rest of the 2022-2023 NBA season without small forward Otto Porter Jr.

The team announced on Tuesday, January 10 that Porter will be missing the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on his left foot.

The Raptors say Otto Porter, Jr. has undergone season-ending surgery on his left foot. pic.twitter.com/hoA4vVktg3
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) January 10, 2023

"This was a tough decision for Otto, he had hoped to avoid surgery, but ultimately, a decision had to be made to ensure his long-term health," said Raptors general manager Bobby Webster. "We look forward to his healthy recovery."

Last season, Porter emerged as a solid role player as he averaged 8.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists to help steer the Golden State Warriors to their fourth championship in seven years.

Porter's solid production helped him score a two-year, $12.4-million contract with the Raptors in the offseason.

Unfortunately for Toronto, Porter was hardly the contributor they had hoped he would be as he appeared in just 8 games and averaged just 5.5 points.

Playing in his tenth season in the NBA, the 29-year-old began his career with the Washington Wizards, where he played his first six seasons.

With the Wizards, Porter was a key rotation piece as he averaged 10.7 points and five rebounds.

He enjoyed his best year offensively during the 2017-2018 season, where he put up 14.7 points to go along with 6.4 boards per contest.

Over the next four seasons, Porter would play for four more teams, including the Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic and then the aforementioned ballclub.

Speaking of the Raptors, they currently sit at the 11th seed of the Eastern Conference with a record of 18-23, but they are just a game behind the 10th-seeded Chicago Bulls for a spot in the play-in tournament.

They've won their last two outings, both blowouts, over the Portland Trailblazers and the Charlotte Hornets.

Last season, the Raptors finished fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 48-34 regular season record.

However, they fell to the Philadelphia 76ers in six games in the first round of the playoffs.