The team announced on Saturday that the starting centre will be out for Sunday’s contest against the Brooklyn Nets (Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet+, 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT) due to lower-back injury management.
Poeltl, 30, has dealt with back issues from the start of the season, having missed four games with the lingering ailment.
Since coming back, however, the Austrian big man has looked as reliable as can be, averaging 11.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists on a career-best 73.7 field goal percentage through 12 appearances.
A positive turnaround for both Poeltl and the Raptors after the franchise re-signed the former ninth overall pick on a three-year, $84 million extension before the 2025-26 season.
Speaking of No. 9 picks, Collin Murray-Boyles has been upgraded to questionable for Sunday’s game as he continues to recover from a right-knee MCL sprain. The rookie has missed two consecutive games with the injury.
Murray-Boyles, 20, has missed five games in total this season, in between 11 appearances where he’s averaged 8.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and a strong 60.2 per cent true shooting on 20.0 minutes a night.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Mogbo will be available against the Nets after the sophomore forward was recalled from assignment with the Raptors 905, Toronto’s G League affiliate. He’ll be joined by two-way players Chucky Hepburn, Alijah Martin and A.J. Lawson as depth options for the Raptors through their back-to-back against the Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers (on Monday), while the G League-leading 905 (6-0) have an extended break until their next game.
The Raptors will welcome the 3-12 Nets to Scotiabank Arena as one of the hottest teams in the NBA, riding a six-game win streak and boasting an 11-5 record that’s propelled them to second in the Eastern Conference.
