Toronto Raptors’ 2024 first-round pick Ja’Kobe Walter will make his NBA debut against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Walter has received the green light to play following an AC joint injury that had him sidelined before training camp, according to TSN’s Josh Lewenberg.
With Walter’s return he should slide into a bench role, backing up Gradey Dick.
Walter said making his pro debut against LeBron James and the Lakers would be “a fairy tale kind of situation.”
Toronto will remain without Immanuel Quickley. He continues to deal with a pelvic injury he suffered in the season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Quickley is also likely to miss Saturday’s game against the Sacramento Kings, per Lewenberg,
Scottie Barnes remains out with an orbital fracture. Barnes will have a doctor’s appointment on Nov. 4 and that’s when the team will know more about his timeline, per Lewenberg.
Kelly Olynyk is out for the Raptors as well. Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said he’s doing a bit more on the court recently, but it will take “a couple more weeks” before he’s ready to return, per Lewenberg.
Bruce Brown continues to recover from offseason knee surgery.
As for the Lakers they have upgraded D’Angelo Russell to available. Also, Anthony Davis is expected to play through right hip soreness. Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood have both been ruled out. Former Raptors center Christian Koloko – who has been cleared to play by the NBA’s Fitness-to-Play Panel – is on G League assignment.
Raptors terrible season start only got worse with Barnes Injury
The Raptors’ 2024-25 NBA season has gotten off to a disastrous start, and the recent injury to their rising star, Barnes, has only compounded their woes. With just one win in their first five games, the Raptors find themselves at the bottom of the league standings, and their NBA odds have plummeted accordingly.
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