The Toronto Raptors have received some unfortunate news ahead of their matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Jakob Poeltl who was ruled out for the matchup against the Lakers with a left ankle sprain has now been ruled out indefinitely.
Poeltl will be re-evaluated in two weeks, per Shams Charania:
Raptors say Jakob Poeltl will be out indefinitely with a left ankle sprain. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 9, 2024
This is a tough loss for the Raptors since they already have been thin with their frontcourt depth. They traded Precious Achiuwa in the deal with the New York Knicks and have been without Christian Koloko who remains out with respiratory issues.
Therefore, Chris Boucher and Jontay Porter are the only bigs that the Raptors currently have healthy in their frontcourt.
Boucher could start in place of Poeltl, unless Darko Rajakovic decides to go with a small ball lineup.
Porter should see more minutes as the Raptors two-way player has looked good in his time with the team so far.
The Raptors had avoided a major injury all season until now. Anunoby had missed a few games with a finger laceration, but other than that the Raptors starters have been healthy.
Poeltl suffered the injury against the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 7 when he stepped awkwardly on the foot of Pascal Siakam. It looked like a bad fall, but despite the impact he remained in the game.
If Poeltl is going to miss an extended period of time with this injury, the Raptors are going to need to get a center.
Poeltl had been healthy all season playing in every single one of Toronto’s 36 games this year.
Toronto has also listed Otto Porter Jr. as doubtful to play with a right knee sprain.
Boucher looks to shine once again
Boucher will see extended minutes in the Raptors matchup over the Lakers.
He was brilliant in his last game against the Warriors scoring 17 points on a perfect 7-7 shooting. He also grabbed 9 rebounds.
The Raptors are hoping for more of that in this one.
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