Olynyk closed with seven points (2-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), three rebounds, one assist and two steals in 13 minutes during Monday's 122-121 loss to Chicago.
Olynyk has played in four straight games after missing the first month and a half of the season due to a back injury. However, he didn't surpass 15 minutes in any of those contests. If Jakob Poeltl (groin) is forced to miss time after leaving Monday's loss to the Bulls early, Olynyk may be thrust into an expanded role, but his current conditioning levels may not allow him to play more than 20 minutes.
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Raptors' Kelly Olynyk: Scores 13 points in season debut
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Olynyk (back) amassed 13 points (3-3 FG, 3-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds, two steals and one assist across 14 minutes during Saturday's 125-118 loss to the Mavericks.
Olynyk made his 2024-25 debut Saturday after missing the first 23 games due to a strained back. He played just 14 minutes in the contest while operating as a strict backup at center to Jakob Poeltl, who logged the other 34 minutes. That being said, Olynyk made the most of his limited playing time, and his deft touch beyond the arc could lead to him receiving playing time at power forward alongside Poeltl once he's further removed from the back injury.
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Raptors' Kelly Olynyk: Making regular-season debut
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Olynyk (back) is available for Saturday's game against the Mavericks, Eric Koreen of The Athletic reports.
Olynyk will make his 2024-25 regular-season debut Saturday after being sidelined due to a back strain he suffered in mid-October. Olynyk was traded by the Jazz to the Raptors during the 2023-24 campaign, and across 28 games (including 19 starts) for Toronto, he averaged 12.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.3 steals over 26.4 minutes per game. Olynyk is unlikely to see much playing time Saturday, but he gives the Raptors another big man option off the bench behind starting center Jakob Poeltl.
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Raptors' Kelly Olynyk: Questionable for Saturday
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Olynyk (back) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against Dallas, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.
Olynyk has yet to suit up this season while recovering from a back strain, though he has been ramping up his conditioning for a potential return to game action. The big man averaged 9.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists across 22.6 minutes per contest over 78 games with Toronto and Utah in the 2023-24 campaign. Once cleared to play, Olynyk will likely settle in as the top backup to starting center Jakob Poeltl.
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Raptors' Kelly Olynyk: Reconditioning for return
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Olynyk (back), who has already been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Heat, is ramping up his conditioning for a return to game action, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
There is no clear timetable for Olynyk's return, and he has yet to make his season debut. However, the veteran big man will work toward regaining his conditioning in practice as the club prepares to slowly work him back from a back strain.
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Raptors' Kelly Olynyk: Debut will not come Sunday
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Olynyk (back) will not play in Sunday's game versus the Heat, Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun reports.
Olynyk has been working to return from a back strain and make his season debut. He had only taken part in non-contact drills as of Nov. 22, and it remains unclear what he has been able to do since. His next opportunity to return will come Tuesday in a matchup with the Pacers.
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Raptors' Kelly Olynyk: Taking part in non-contact work
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Olynyk (back) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.
Olynyk took part only in non-contact drills, and while he seems to be improving as he ramps up from a back strain, he'll still have another checkpoint to clear in his recovery before his season debut can be viewed as imminent. The big man appears unlikely to be available at any point during the Raptors' four-game road trip that begins Sunday in Cleveland and wraps up next Friday in Miami, but barring any setbacks, he could be ready to play in early December. The Raptors are expected to get by with Bruno Fernando (ankle) and Jonathan Mogbo as their primary backup options at center behind starter Jakob Poeltl while Olynyk is on the mend.
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Raptors' Kelly Olynyk: Still sidelined
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Olynyk (back) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Pacers and remains out indefinitely, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Olynyk has yet to make his regular-season debut due to a back strain. Coach Darko Rajakovic said at the beginning of November that Olynyk was still a few weeks away, but there hasn't been an update since. In Olynyk's absence, Jonathan Mogbo and Chris Boucher have seen increased roles to start the campaign.
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Raptors' Kelly Olynyk: Out a few more weeks
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Coach Darko Rajakovic said Friday that Olynyk (back) is a few weeks away from returning, Eric Koreen of The Athletic reports.
Olynyk has yet to suit up this season while dealing with a back strain. The veteran forward will remain sidelined for a few more weeks, with mid-November being the earliest he is expected to suit up. In Olynyk's absence, Jonathan Mogbo, Bruno Fernando and Chris Boucher should all continue to receive increased playing time.
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Raptors' Kelly Olynyk: Ruled out for Friday
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Olynyk (back) will miss Friday's contest against the Lakers, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.
Olynyk will miss another game, his sixth consecutive to begin the season. The Raptors will be very shorthanded heading into Friday's game, as they are also without Scottie Barnes (orbital), Bruce Brown (knee) and potentially Immanuel Quickley (pelvis). With Olynyk out, Jonathan Mogbo and Bruno Fernando will likely continue to back up Jakob Poeltl until he returns.
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Raptors' Kelly Olynyk: Remains out
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Olynyk (back) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Hornets, Aaron Rose of SI.com reports.
Olynyk has yet to make his season debut and will miss a fifth straight game. He doesn't have a return timetable, but his next chance to suit up will come Friday versus the Lakers.
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Raptors' Kelly Olynyk: Won't go Monday
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Olynyk (back) has been ruled out of Monday's game against the Nuggets, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Olynyk will miss his fourth consecutive game and has yet to debut this season. The big man's next chance to feature will come Wednesday against the Hornets.
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Raptors' Kelly Olynyk: Another absence coming
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Olynyk (back) is out for Saturday's game versus the Timberwolves, Aaron Rose of SI.com reports.
Olynyk's absence streak will extend to three games Saturday while dealing with a back injury. His next chance to suit up is Monday's matchup with Denver.
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Raptors' Kelly Olynyk: Won't suit up Friday
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Olynyk (back) is out for Friday's game versus the 76ers, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.
Olynyk will miss his second straight contest to start the regular season Friday while dealing with back stiffness. Chris Boucher should continue to receive extended minutes in his absence. Olynyk's next chance to suit up is Saturday's matchup with Minnesota.
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Raptors' Kelly Olynyk: Sits out practice
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Olynyk (back) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Olynyk missed Toronto's regular-season opener Wednesday due to back stiffness. The veteran big man's absence from practice is a bad sign of his availability for Friday's matchup with Philadelphia.
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Raptors' Kelly Olynyk: Won't play Wednesday
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Olynyk (back) has been ruled out for Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Cavaliers.
Olynyk continues to battle back stiffness, which sidelined him for Toronto's final three preseason games. With the veteran sidelined, Chris Boucher should see more minutes as the backup center behind Jakob Poeltl.
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Raptors' Kelly Olynyk: Misses practice Tuesday
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Olynyk (back) was unable to practice Tuesday, Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun reports.
Olynyk missed Toronto's final three preseason games, and it sounds like he's doubtful for Wednesday's matchup against the Cavaliers. With Olynyk likely to be sidelined, it's possible Chris Boucher (knee) will get some reps as the backup center behind Jakob Poeltl.
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Raptors' Kelly Olynyk: Another absence coming
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Olynyk (back) is out for Friday's preseason game against the Nets, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Olynyk will miss a third straight preseason game with back stiffness, though it's uncertain if the issue is major or if the Raptors are simply trying to keep the veteran big man as healthy as possible ahead of the regular-season opener against the Cavaliers next Wednesday. Olynyk will come off the bench when healthy since he'll operate as Jakob Poeltl's backup at center.
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Raptors' Kelly Olynyk: Remains out against Boston
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Olynyk (back) won't play in Tuesday's preseason game versus the Celtics, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Olynyk will miss his second straight preseason contest due to lower back stiffness. His next chance to suit up is Friday's preseason finale against Brooklyn.
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Raptors' Kelly Olynyk: Dealing with back stiffness
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Olynyk won't play in Sunday's preseason game against the Celtics due to lower-back stiffness, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Olynyk suited up for Friday's preseason loss to Washington but didn't see any action. It sounds like typical vet precautions, but it's unclear when he'll return to game action. Toronto has a rematch against Boston on Tuesday.
