Injuries have been a prevalent issue for the Toronto Raptors, particularly with their young stars in RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and Scottie Barnes.
Thankfully, Quickley and Barnes made their respective returns to the lineup recently. But, it seems like each time one of them returns, one is sidelined.
As a result, the Raptors have yet to see their projected starting lineup on the floor this season.
That being Quickley, Barrett, Barnes, Jakob Poeltl and Gradey Dick. However, those five may finally play their first minutes together of the season on Jan. 6.
Barrett missed the last three games due to illness and he is officially listed as questionable, but he seems to be trending towards playing, via Aaron Rose of Sports Illustrated:
RJ Barrett is officially questionable for tomorrow. Based on him talking to media today, it seems like he’ll play
— 𝐀𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞 (@AaronBenRose) January 5, 2025
Barrett spoke with the media today and he expressed optimism in being available, but did not want to jinx it, via Lindsay Dunn of CityNews:
RJ Barrett was back practicing with the team today after missing the last three games because of an illness. If all goes well, the #raptors will finally see their projected starting 5 for the first time this season on Monday vs the Bucks: https://t.co/sJJW2g65s9 pic.twitter.com/VeFMeXEO1a
— Lindsay Dunn (@LindsayDunnTV) January 5, 2025
Hopefully, things continue to trend in the right direction for this Raptors team in terms of health. In their first full year of a rebuild, Toronto anticipated their starting group to spend a ton of time with one another.
It’s not ideal for this to happen in early January, but better late than never.
Tom Thibodeau praises RJ Barrett
Since arriving home back in Canada, RJ Barrett has played the best basketball of his young career. Unfortunately, he has not had his running mates healthy to begin this season.
Despite all of that, Barrett received high praise from his former head coach Tom Thibodeau.
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