The Toronto Raptors are slowly creeping up on their longest losing streak in franchise history, and after a blowout defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers even after the returns of RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, reaching that 17 games figure seems all the more likely. The Raptors have another chance to end the streak, but face another difficult opponent in the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves have one of the best records in basketball and have been fighting for positioning at the top of the Western Conference for multiple months. They are currently at the No. 2 seed in a deadlock with the third-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. Both sit 0.5 games behind the Denver Nuggets for the top seed in the West. The Timberwolves have won eight of their last 10 outings.
They have done this despite losing All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns for a large chunk of the season due to a torn meniscus. The team has optimism that he could return by the end of the regular season, but he will certainly be out against the Raptors and he has not played in a game since March 4.
Mike Conley (rest) and Jaylen Clark (achilles) join Towns on the injured list for the Timberwolves. The Raptors — as per usual — have a significant injury list of their own, with Scottie Barnes (hand), Jakob Poeltl (hand), Chris Boucher (knee) and D.J. Carton (ankle) being the usual long-term injuries.
But for Wednesday’s game in particular, RJ Barrett rejoins the injury list with a knee issue that is likely preventative on the second night of a back-to-back. Ochai Agbaji (hip) is also out, Bruce Brown (knee) is considered doubtful and Kelly Olynyk is out due to rest.
With all the injuries, the Raptors have been relatively uncompetitive in most of their games during this losing streak. And going on the road against the Timberwolves is not a recipe for success, but the available players for the Raptors are certainly going to try and end this potentially franchise-worst streak.
Toronto Raptors (23-52) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (52-23)
8:00 p.m. EST, Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
TV: SportsNet
Projected Raptors Starting Lineup:
PG: Immanuel Quickley
SG: Gary Trent Jr.
SF: Gradey Dick
PF: Jordan Nwora
C: Mouhamadou Gueye
Key Reserves: Garrett Temple, Javon Freeman-Liberty, Malik Williams
Projected Timberwolves Starting Lineup:
PG: Jordan McLaughlin
SG: Anthony Edwards
SF: Jaden McDaniels
PF: Naz Reid
C: Rudy Gobert
Key Reserves: Kyle Anderson, Nickell Alexander-Walker, Monte Morris
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