Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Records double-double Sunday
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Poeltl finished with 14 points (6-10 FG, 2-3 FT), 13 rebounds and two assists in Sunday's 115-111 preseason loss to the Celtics.
Poeltl made his presence felt on both ends of the court Sunday, and the big man seems ready for the start of the regular season against the Cavaliers on Oct. 23. Poeltl will open the campaign as Toronto's starting center. However, the veteran could be tied to rumors as the season progresses since the Raptors are fully committed to rebuilding.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Present for practice
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Poeltl (finger) worked through pick-and-roll concepts with Immanuel Quickley at Wednesday's practice, Eric Koreen of The Athletic reports.
Poeltl's presence at Wednesday's practice marks his first activity since undergoing surgery on his left pinkie finger in March, which ended his 2023-24 season. Poeltl enters training camp following a smooth offseason of recovery.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Remains out against Miami
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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
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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.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Not ready for contact work
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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.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Undergoes surgery
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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: Won't play Tuesday
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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
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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.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Delivers stellar all-around line
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Poeltl (ankle) tallied 16 points (7-12 FG, 2-3 FT), seven rebounds, six assists, four steals and two blocks across 29 minutes in Wednesday's 136-125 loss to the Mavericks.
Poeltl's availability for Wednesday's contest looked to be in some doubt after he sprained an ankle in Monday's win over the Pacers and was unable to return, but he received the green light to play after checking out fine following the Raptors' morning shootaround. The veteran center proceeded to deliver one of his better all-around outings of the campaign, complete with a season-high-tying assist and steal totals. Poeltl's outstanding production in sizable minutes should erase most of the concern fantasy managers might have had about him being affected by the ankle injury.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Good to go Wednesday
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Poeltl (ankle) is available for Wednesday's game versus the Mavericks, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.
Poeltl has been upgraded from questionable to available Wednesday despite dealing with a left ankle sprain he suffered against Indiana. The 28-year-old big man is averaging 13.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 blocks in 24.8 minutes across his last five appearances.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Active at shootaround
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Poeltl, who's listed as questionable due to an ankle injury, was active during Toronto's morning shootaround ahead of Wednesday's game versus Dallas, Aaron Rose of SI.com reports.
Poeltl left Monday's win over Indiana early after spraining his left ankle, but he appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of Wednesday's contest. His official availability will likely be a game-time decision.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Night ends early with ankle sprain
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Poeltl has been ruled out for the remainder of Monday's game against Indiana with a left ankle sprain, Kayla Grey of TSN reports. He recorded 15 points (7-11 FG, 1-1 FT), 11 rebounds, four assists and one block in 22 minutes before departing.
Poeltl appeared to injure the ankle in the third quarter and was unable to return after making a visit to the locker room. Considering that the big man previously sat out 11 straight games in January with an injury to the same ankle, it wouldn't be surprising if Poeltl was forced to miss time again. Official word on the extent of Poeltl's injury won't be known until he's sent in for further testing, but if he's out for Wednesday's game against Dallas, the Raptors would likely turn to Kelly Olynyk as their starting center.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Visits locker room
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Poeltl went to the locker room after appearing to suffer a left ankle injury Monday, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.
Poeltl reportedly went to get his ankle re-taped, per Lewenberg, and the team is hopeful that he'll be able to continue in the contest. Kelly Olynyk would likely be asked to eat up minutes at center down the stretch if Poeltl is ruled out.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Strong showing on glass
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Poeltl totaled 12 points (6-13 FG), 13 rebounds, six assists and two blocks across 26 minutes during Friday's 123-121 win over the Hawks.
It was the 28-year-old center's 18th double-double of the season and fifth in the last nine games, while the six assists tied his season high. Poeltl is averaging 13.1 points, 10.2 boards, 2.4 assists and 2.1 blocks during that nine-game stretch while shooting 59.8 percent from the floor.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Posts another double-double
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Poeltl provided 19 points (8-15 FG, 3-4 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal across 30 minutes during Wednesday's 127-125 loss to the Pacers.
Poeltl posted his fourth double-double over his last seven appearances, and the big man has been quite an asset on both ends of the court for the Raptors. He seems to have left a nagging ankle injury in the rearview, and he should remain a capable double-double threat for Toronto as long as he remains healthy.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Fills stat sheet Friday
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Poeltl recorded 16 points (7-11 FG, 2-2 FT), 13 rebounds, three assists, six blocks and three steals in 37 minutes during Friday's 107-104 win over Houston.
Poeltl recorded one of his best stat lines of the season, finishing just four blocks shy of a triple-double and making his presence felt on both ends of the court. Poeltl is expected to hold a prominent role for the Raptors going forward after the team traded away several regulars before the deadline, and an increase in touches should bolster Poeltl's fantasy value, which is already decent given his ability to post a double-double anytime he steps on the court. He's reached that feat in three of his last five outings since returning from an ankle injury that sidelined him for most of January.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Posts double-double in win
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Poeltl recorded 12 points (5-7 FG, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists and one block across 33 minutes during Wednesday's 123-117 victory over the Hornets.
Poeltl has excellent touch around the rim, shoots the ball at a high clip and is an outstanding rebounder -- traits that make him a reliable fantasy contributor and a player who can post double-doubles regularly. He missed 11 games in January due to a nagging ankle injury, but he seems to be trending in the right direction now that he's back on the court, and he should have a sizable role if he stays with Toronto past the trade deadline.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Double-doubles in loss
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Poeltl ended Sunday's 135-127 double-overtime loss to the Thunder with 19 points (8-9 FG, 3-4 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks across 33 minutes.
Poeltl looked rusty in his return to action Friday against the Rockets, but he certainly found his stride Sunday night. The center racked up his 14th double-double of the campaign and was able to match his season-best mark of 19 points in the loss.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Gets limited run in return
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Poeltl (ankle) posted six points (3-5 FG), five rebounds, two blocks and one assist across 20 minutes in Friday's 135-106 loss to the Rockets.
Poeltl is averaging 26.4 minutes per game for the season, but he was unsurprisingly held below that mark Friday while he suited up for the first time since Jan. 7 following a near-month-long recovery from a sprained left ankle. The veteran center may need another game or two to ramp up before he resumes playing a 25-to-30-minute role on a regular basis, but he's worthy of a pickup in 10-team leagues where he might have been available now that he's playing again. Poeltl won't typically post any eye-opening scoring totals and is a negative in the three-pointers and free-throw percentage categories, but he's a stellar contributor in three other categories (blocks, field-goal percentage and rebounds).
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Will play Friday
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Poeltl (ankle) is available for Friday's game against the Rockets, Eric Koreen of The Athletic reports.
Poeltl missed the previous 11 games due to a left ankle sprain, but he was a full participant in Thursday's practice session and has been cleared to return to game action a day later. However, the Raptors could monitor his workload during his first game back on the court.