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The Raptors confirmed today in a press release that center Jakob Poeltl has a left ankle sprain and will be out indefinitely.Poeltl’s return is not yet scheduled, but because the Raptors indicate he will be reevaluated in two weeks, it is reasonable to believe he won’t be back until at least late January, if not later.
Poeltl sustained his injury in the third quarter of the team’s triumph over Golden State on Sunday. The big man rolled it after he stepped on Pascal Siakam’s foot while trying to retrieve a loose ball, according to Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca’s tweet. Although Poeltl finished the game, he will not be able to play through the injury going ahead.Poeltl joined the Raptors in 2016 and was traded to San Antonio in 2018 in exchange for Kawhi Leonard. At the 2023 deadline, Toronto acquired Poeltl again.
In his 36 games this season, he has averaged 10.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.4 blocks. He inked a new four-year, $78 million contract with the team over the summer. His career-high field goal percentage of 68.5% is achieved.
The Raptors’ frontcourt depth is now relatively lacking as they lost Precious Achiuwa in their original Anunoby trade with New York and have been without Christian Koloko the entire season due to a respiratory condition.
Chris Boucher and Jontay Porter are strong contenders for bigger roles now that Poeltl is gone, and Thaddeus Young might also see some rotation time. It’s also important to remember that Toronto can sign a short-term contract with another big man to fill the open place on its 15-man roster.
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