RJ Barrett will be out against the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Toronto Raptors season opener.
The Raptors will also be without Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, and Ja’Kobe Walter who have all been ruled out for the Raptors first game of the season.
Barrett is working his way back from an AC joint injury he suffered in the preseason. The 24-year-old is considered “day-to-day,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said after practice. Barrett has yet to be cleared for contact and it seems likely that he will miss the team’s first couple of games.
Walter is about a week behind Barrett as he is recovering from his AC joint injury. The rookie has been shooting at practice, but has yet to be cleared for contact as well.
Olynyk has been dealing with a back strain since the preseason and it’s unclear how long the veteran center will be out. He has yet to return to practice.
Brown is rehabbing his knee from offseason surgery and he has been doing some light activity on the court. However, his return still seems far away.
Raptors lead guard Immanuel Quickley returned to action for the Raptors in their final preseason game. He is battling a left thumb sprain and is wearing a brace for it. He will be ready to go for the Raptors season opener.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers will be missing Max Strus as he is battling a right ankle sprain. Other than that, they are fully healthy.
The Raptors will kickoff their 30th anniversary season at 7:30 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Arena.
Darko Rajakovic says Raptors are connected
The Toronto Raptors are entering a season of development.
This Raptors team is young and the players seem to be bonding well. Darko Rajakovic talked about the team being connected going into this season.
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