Raptors' Boucher out 3-4 weeks with finger injury

Toronto Raptors big man Chris Boucher will likely be sidelined for three-to-four weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a dislocated finger on his left hand, head coach Nick Nurse announced Monday, according to Sportsnet's Michael Grange.

The 28-year-old Canadian was one of the breakout successes of the 2020-21 season, putting up career highs of 13.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game with 38.3% accuracy on 3-pointers. He tied for sixth in the voting for Most Improved Player.

With projected starting power forward Pascal Siakam still recovering from June shoulder surgery that could render him unavailable until November or later, the Raptors might look to 20-year-old Scottie Barnes - the team's No. 4 overall pick out of Florida State - to play a considerable role in their upcoming exhibition schedule.

Monday's visit from the Philadelphia 76ers opens the Raptors' preseason slate and also marks the Raptors' long-awaited return to Toronto, where they haven't played a home game since February 2020 due to the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic. They hosted games in Tampa, Florida, last season.