Poeltl (finger) won't play in Sunday's game versus the Heat, Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun reports.
Poeltl will miss his 21st straight game to end the season Sunday after undergoing surgery on his left pinkie finger. The 28-year-old big man will end the 2023-24 campaign averaging 11.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 blocks in 26.4 minutes across 50 appearances.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Still limited at practice
Rotowire
Poeltl (finger) participated in parts of Monday's practice but was limited to using only his right hand, Raptors reporter Aaron Rose reports.
While the big man appears to be making progress, the fact that he's still limited at this stage in the season does not bode well for his chances to return at some point in the next week. Either way, the Raptors are well out of playoff contention, so even if Poeltl was fully healthy, it's possible Toronto would hold him out for rest and development purposes.
Head coach Darko Rajakovic said Tuesday that Poeltl (hand) has been doing some light on-court work but still hasn't been cleared for contact, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.
According to Lewenberg, Poeltl's on-court work hasn't involved him using his surgically repaired left hand, so he doesn't appear to be particularly close to making a return to game action. The Raptors haven't yet ruled Poeltl out for the season, but with the team sitting at 23-49 and well out of the playoff picture, the team has little incentive to rush him back if he's not 100 percent healed from surgery. Kelly Olynyk should continue serving as the Raptors' starting center for whatever length of time Poeltl is sidelined.
The Raptors announced Tuesday that Poeltl is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left pinkie finger, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.
Poeltl suffered the injury during Sunday's win over the Hornets. While no official return timetable has been given, the Raptors will likely be without Poeltl for multiple weeks, if not the remainder of the season. Kelly Olynyk will likely step into a larger role as the Raptors' starting center, while Jontay Porter will likely become a fixture in the rotation as Olynyk's primary backup.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Seeing hand specialists
Rotowire
Poeltl (pinky dislocation) is being consulted by hand specialists and there is no update or estimated return as of Tuesday, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.
Poeltl's status is extremely murky for Thursday's game against Phoenix, and a multi-game absence can't be ruled out given the extent to which his finger is currently being evaluated. The severity and specificity of his dislocation are relevant factors for which the team is attempting to gather more intelligence on, leaving Kelly Olynyk as a pillar of the frontcourt in his stead.
Poeltl (finger) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Pelicans, Aaron Rose of SI.com reports.
Poeltl dislocated his left pinky during Sunday's win over the Hornets and will miss at least one additional game. Kelly Olynyk started the second half of Sunday's contest in Poeltl's absence and should see an increased role again Tuesday. Poeltl's next chance to suit up will come Thursday in Phoenix.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Dislocates finger Sunday
Rotowire
Poeltl won't return to Sunday's game against the Hornets due to a left pinky dislocation, Aaron Rose of SI.com reports. He finished with eight points (4-6 FG), three assists, two rebounds and one block in 15 minutes.
Poeltl suffered the injury late in the second quarter and will miss the entire second half. Though the Raptors are labeling his injury as a dislocation rather than a fracture, it's possible that the hand issue will cause enough discomfort that Poeltl won't be ready to play when the Raptors return to action Tuesday versus the Pelicans. Kelly Olynyk would likely start at center if Poeltl can't go Tuesday, while two-way player Jontay Porter could re-enter the rotation as a backup center.
