The Toronto Raptors could be getting a key starter back when they host the Brooklyn Nets to kick off 2025.
Immanuel Quickley has been upgraded to questionable for tonight’s game, per TSN’s Josh Lewenberg. Quickley has only played in 3 games this season and he has been dealing with a partial tear to the UCL in his left elbow. Quickley being questionable to play is a good sign that the Raptors lead guard is getting close to a return. The Raptors could use a more traditional point guard out there since things have been shaky with Scottie Barnes running the point.
RJ Barrett (illness) and Gradey Dick (hamstring) are also questionable against the Nets. Both players missed the game in Boston against the Celtics. Bruce Brown is out for injury management on the second night of a back-to-back and Ja’Kobe Walter has popped up on the injury report as he is also questionable with a finger sprain on his left hand, per Lewenberg.
The Raptors are slowly getting back to full strength, which is a good thing since the team has been struggling mightily lately. Toronto has lost 11 games in a row and they are coming off a franchise-record 54 point loss to the Celtics.
However, despite their struggles the team is actually a 2-point favorite against the Nets. The Nets have been reshuffling their roster lately, recently making a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers involving D’Angelo Russell. Russell is set to make his Nets debut tonight. This will be Russell’s second stint in Brooklyn and he always seems to show up every time he plays Toronto.
Cam Thomas (hamstring), Trendon Watford (hamstring), Bojan Bogdanovic (foot) and Ziaire Williams (knee) are all out for the Nets.
Given how poorly the Raptors have played recently, it will be interesting to see how the team responds on its home floor to open up the new year.
Brooklyn Nets (12-20) vs. Toronto Raptors (7-26)
7:30 p.m. EST, Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
TV: TSN
Projected Nets Starting Lineup:
PG: Ben Simmons
SG: D’Angelo Russell
SF: Cameron Johnson
PF: Noah Clowney
C: Nic Claxton
Key Reserves: Keon Johnson, Jalen Wilson, Tyrese Martin
Projected Raptors Starting Lineup:
PG: Scottie Barnes
SG: Davion Mitchell
SF: Ja’Kobe Walter
PF: Ochai Agbaji
C: Jakob Poeltl
Key Reserves: Jamal Shead, Jamison Battle, Chris Boucher
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