Raptors provide updates on Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl, and Ochai Agbaji.
Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl appear to be making improvement for the Toronto Raptors, while testing yielded encouraging results for Ochai Agbaji.
It’s been nearly a month since Barnes decided to have surgery to fix a fracture in his left hand, and the Toronto Raptors forward appears to be on the mend. On Friday, after the team’s practice, he was observed practicing dribbling drills with both hands as well as shooting. Raptors coach Darko Rajaković stated that this was the first time he had used his left hand since surgery.
Jakob Poeltl was also doing some skill work, but nothing with his left hand quite yet. He was shooting free throws exclusively with his right and training with assistant coaches as he tries to get back in game shape.
Considering Toronto has two weeks left in the season, it’s unlikely either player is ready to go before the end of the year. Ideally, though, Barnes and Poeltl will make a full recovery shortly and are ready for a full summer’s worth of training.
As for Ochai Agbaji, the Raptors wing avoided serious injury following a scary fall Wednesday night against the New York Knicks. He was seen doing some light training but will not be available Sunday against the Philadelphia 76ers.
“Thank God is not as serious as we thought,” Rajaković said at practice. “The MRI and everything came back negative and everything, he’s just really, really sore right now.”
Immanuel Quickley was absent from the team and is unlikely to play Sunday, though the team will not release an official injury report until Saturday. He’d been absent from the squad for personal reasons.
RJ Barrett did have a complete session and is making his way back after missing several games due to the death of his younger brother Nathan.
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