Jakob Poeltl Unlikely to Play Sunday as Raptors Share Latest Injury Updates
The Toronto Raptors will be a little shorthanded in the frontcourt Sunday evening when they take on the Cairns Taipans of Australia’s National Basketball League. Jakob Poeltl is unlikely to play, Raptors coach Darko Rajaković told reporters Saturday. He’s dealing with an illness and was not present at practice Saturday.
That leaves Toronto without its top two centers as Christian Koloko remains without a timeline as he continues to deal with ongoing reparatory issues. It sounds like Precious Achiuwa will also be sidelined, though he did participate in non-contact activities on Saturday. His left groin strain is feeling “much better,” Rajaković said. Otto Porter Jr. is not expected to play Sunday either. This appears to be more injury management-related than anything else for the 30-year-old oft-injured wing. The plan with Porter remains a little unclear as he said his toe is fully recovered after missing nearly the entire season last year. It does not sound like he is dealing with a new injury currently.
Expect Toronto to use Chris Boucher, Thad Young, and likely Mouhamed Gueye and Makur Maker off the bench to fill in the frontcourt spots. Gueye and Maker are on Exhibit 10 deals and are unlikely to make the roster for Toronto but will spend this season with the Raptors 905. Maker, Ron Harper Jr., and Jeff Dowtin Jr. were the only active players not to appear in Toronto’s first preseason game. They’ll likely see playing time Saturday against the Taipans who are coming off a 145-82 loss to the Washington Wizards.
