Walter (hip) is out for Sunday's game against the Spurs, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Walter will miss the final game of the season due to right hip soreness, the same injury that sidelined him for the previous two contests. The rookie out of Baylor finishes his rookie year with averages of 8.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.8 steals per game in 52 appearances (18 starts) while averaging 21.2 minutes per contest.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Won't play Wednesday
Rotowire
Walter (hip) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Hornets, Esfandiar Baraheni of The Athletic reports.
Walter missed seven consecutive contests in March while dealing with a strained right hip, and he'll sit out against Charlotte due to right hip flexor tightness. His next chance to suit up will come Friday against Dallas, which is the Raptors' penultimate game of the regular season. A.J. Lawson and Jared Rhoden are candidates for a bump in minutes due to Walter being sidelined.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Cleared to play Sunday
Rotowire
Walter (hip) is available for Sunday's game against San Antonio, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Walter will return from a seven-game absence streak Sunday due to a right hip strain. However, it wouldn't be surprising to see the rookie first-round pick operate under a minutes restriction during his return. Over his last five outings (two starts), Walter has averaged 9.6 points and 4.8 rebounds across 24.4 minutes per game.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Could return against San Antonio
Rotowire
Walter (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Spurs, Esfandiar Baraheni of The Athletic reports.
Walter has missed Toronto's previous seven contests due to a right hip flexor injury but could return to action Sunday. If Walter is upgraded to available, it wouldn't be surprising for him to operate on a minutes restriction.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Another absence coming
Rotowire
Walter (hip) won't play in Thursday's game versus the Warriors.
Walter's absence streak will extend to seven games Thursday due to a right hip flexor injury. The rookie forward's next chance to suit up is Sunday's matchup with San Antonio.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Still out
Rotowire
Walter (hip) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Suns, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Walter hasn't played since March 7 and doesn't have a return timeline. He can be considered doubtful for Thursday's matchup in Golden State, barring a return to practice soon.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Remains out Sunday
Rotowire
Walter (hip) is out for Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Walter is set to miss a fifth consecutive game while dealing with a right hip strain. His next chance to play will come against the Suns on Monday in the second leg of a back-to-back set.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Won't play Friday
Rotowire
Walter (hip) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Jazz, Esfandiar Baraheni of The Athletic reports.
Walter will miss a fourth consecutive game due to a right hip flexor sprain. There's no concrete timeline for his return, but his next opportunity to take the floor is Sunday against the Trail Blazers. A.J. Lawson should continue to see meaningful minutes off the bench due to Walter's absence.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Another absence coming
Rotowire
Walter (hip) will not play Wednesday against the 76ers, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Walter will be sidelined for a third consecutive game due to a right hip flexor strain. Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca relays that Walter's hip strain may be of the Grade 2 variety, which would likely put him at risk of missing extended time. The rookie first-round pick will continue to be updated on a game-by-game basis until the Raptors offer a more concrete timeline for his return.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Won't play Saturday
Rotowire
Walter (quadriceps) is out for Saturday's game versus the Wizards, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Walter will miss Saturday's contest due to a right quadriceps strain he suffered against Utah on Friday. Jamison Battle and Jamal Shead are candidates to receive increased playing time in his absence. Walter's next chance to suit up is Monday's rematch with Washington.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Getting starting nod
Rotowire
Walter is in the starting five for Tuesday's game versus the Magic.
Walter will replace Gradey Dick (knee) in the starting five Tuesday. Walter has averaged 10.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 24.3 minutes across his nine starting appearances this season.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Shoots poorly in loss
Rotowire
Walter finished with three points (1-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and one steal in 23 minutes in Wednesday's 111-91 loss to the Pacers.
Walter struggled to score Wednesday, making just one bucket in a blowout loss. The 2024 first-round pick has primarily come off the bench this season, but he has seen consistent playing time on the lowly Raptors. In 11 games this month, the 20-year-old is averaging 8.5 points and 3.7 rebounds on 43.5 percent shooting in 21.9 minutes per game.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Starting sans Barrett
Rotowire
Walter will start in Tuesday's game against the Knicks, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
The rookie will get the starting nod with RJ Barrett (concussion) on the shelf. Walter hasn't entered the starting five since Dec. 31, and over his last 10 outings, he has averaged 7.0 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 16.8 minutes per game off the bench.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Makes impact off bench
Rotowire
Walter totaled 14 points (3-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 7-8 FT), four rebounds, two assists and one steal over 18 minutes during Friday's 122-106 loss to the Bulls.
The rookie has played double-digit minutes in back-to-back games for the first time since Jan. 8 and 9. His 14 points were the first time he scored in double figures since New Year's Day. Walter's role and performances have been inconsistent, but with the trade deadline approaching, the 15-33 Raptors could move some veterans and open up time down the stretch for young players. The Baylor product has struggled with his efficiency -- he's shooting 38.7 percent from the field, 28.6 percent from three and 69.6 percent from the free-throw line -- but has shown flashes as more than just a shooter. For his 6-foot-4 frame, he's a good offensive rebounder (1.4 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes) and gets to the free-throw line at a relatively high rate, given his overall shot profile (3.1 free-throw attempts per 36 minutes).
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Rejoins parent club
Rotowire
Toronto recalled Walter from the G League's Raptors 905 on Sunday.
Minutes have been hard to come by for Walter at the NBA level lately, so the rookie first-round pick could be headed back in the G League in the near future to see extended playing time.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Scores eight points in limited run
Rotowire
Walter ended Monday's 128-104 loss to Milwaukee with eight points (3-5 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 0-1 FT), two rebounds and one assist over 11 minutes.
Walter led the Raptors' bench in scoring during his limited run Monday. The rookie received increased playing time during the early part of the season with Immanuel Quickley and Bruce Brown sidelined, though Walter has yet to surpass the 20-minute mark since Quickley's return last Wednesday. Walter will likely continue to receive reduced playing time off the bench, but he could be in store for an increased role if any injuries arise in the backcourt.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Dealing with sprained finger
Rotowire
Walter is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Nets with a finger sprain on his left hand, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.
Walter joins Immanuel Quickley (elbow), Gradey Dick (hamstring) and RJ Barrett (illness) as one of four Raptors listed questionable for the second half of a back-to-back set. The rookie played 22 minutes and finished with three points (1-10 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds, two assists and one block in Tuesday's 125-71 loss to the Celtics, but if Walter is available Wednesday, he could be in line for a reduction in playing time in the event two or three of Quickley, Dick and Barrett also get the green light to play.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Available Sunday
Rotowire
Walter (illness) is available for Sunday's game against Atlanta, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Walter will suit up after missing Thursday's loss to Memphis due to the illness. Over his last five appearances, the rookie has averaged 13.0 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists across 25.4 minutes per contest.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Won't play Thursday
Rotowire
Walter (illness) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against Memphis, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Walter will be held out of his first matchup since Nov. 25 due to the illness, and his next chance to feature will come Sunday against Atlanta. With the rookie sidelined, Jonathan Mogbo and Jamison Battle could see an uptick in playing time.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Retreats to bench Monday
Rotowire
Walter will come off the bench in Monday's game against the Knicks.
With veteran RJ Barrett slotting back into the starting five, Walter will retreat to the bench following two consecutive starts. The rookie was stellar in Sunday's loss to the Rockets, during which he posted a career-high 27 points (9-18 FG, 6-11 3Pt, 3-4 FT), three assists and two rebounds across 28 minutes. Over his last five outings (two starts), Walter has averaged 13.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.8 minutes per contest.
