Poeltl (back) finished with nine points (4-7 FG, 1-2 FT) and six rebounds in 20 minutes during Wednesday's 113-95 loss to the Pistons.
Seeing his first game action since Dec. 21, Poeltl was on a tight minutes restriction but didn't seem hampered by the back issues that had kept him sidelined for 24 consecutive games. The veteran center will get the All-Star break to rest up further, but he may need more time after that to ramp up before he'll be allowed to handle a full workload.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Available Wednesday
Rotowire
Poeltl (back/reconditioning) is available for Wednesday's game against the Pistons and will be on an unspecified minutes restriction, Esfandiar Baraheni of The Athletic reports.
Poeltl hasn't played since Dec. 21 due to a lower-back strain but will return to action in Toronto's final game before the All-Star break. It's unclear how many minutes he will be limited to, but his return will leave fewer minutes available for the likes of Sandro Mamukelashvili and Trayce Jackson-Davis. Per Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca, Poeltl is part of the starting lineup Wednesday. Over 21 regular-season appearances thus far, Poeltl has averaged 9.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25.3 minutes per contest.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Iffy for Wednesday
Rotowire
Poeltl (back) is questionable for Wednesday's game against Detroit, per Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca.
Poeltl practiced Tuesday, and the Raptors are giving him a chance to return before the All-Star break. If the veteran center suits up for the first time since Dec. 21, the streaming appeal of both Sandro Mamukelashvili of Collin Murray-Boyles (thumb) would likely take a big hit.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Remaining out Sunday
Rotowire
Poeltl (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game versus the Pacers, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
While Poeltl won't play Sunday, he's reportedly "very close" to getting back to the court. Per Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca, Poeltl went through a full practice Saturday, and at this stage, his main focus has been getting reconditioned after his back injury has kept him from playing since Dec. 21. Poeltl's next chance to play will come Wednesday versus the Pistons.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Chance to return Sunday
Rotowire
Poeltl (back) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Pacers, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Poeltl has been sidelined by a lower-back strain since Dec. 21, which has resulted in Sandro Mamukelashvili and rookie Collin Murray-Boyles stepping into larger roles for the Raptors. Poeltl drew the questionable tag for Sunday's contest after fully participating in Saturday's practice, but he would likely operate under a heavy minutes restriction if he's given the green light to return. The veteran center is averaging 9.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 25.3 minutes per game across 21 regular-season appearances thus far.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Could return before All-Star break
Rotowire
Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic said Thursday that Poeltl (back) has been "reacting really well" to his recent on-court work, and the Raptors are hopeful he can return before the All-Star break, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Poeltl has already been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Bulls, but if he's able to increase his workload in practice Saturday, he may have a chance at playing as soon as Sunday's game versus the Pacers or next Wednesday's game against the Pistons. Given that he's been out since Dec. 21 due to a lower-back strain, Poeltl is likely to have some restrictions once he's cleared to play again, but he may be worth grabbing in certain leagues if he's sitting on a waiver wire. Collin Murray-Boyles and Sandro Mamukelashvili will both see their respective fantasy values take a hit once Poeltl is back in the mix and fully up to speed.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: No timeline for return
Rotowire
The Raptors announced Sunday that Poeltl returned to Toronto to receive targeted pain relief treatment for his back injury and doesn't have an established timeline to return to the court, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Poeltl has been managing the back issue since the start of the season and hasn't played since suffering an aggravation of the injury Dec. 21. The Raptors noted that an update on Poeltl's status will be established once he resumes practicing, but at this point, he looks closer to week-to-week than day-to-day. Rookie first-rounder Collin Murray-Boyles (thumb) and veteran Sandro Mamukelashvili should continue to handle expanded roles at center for as long as Poeltl is sidelined.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Not with team, seeing specialist
Rotowire
Poeltl (back) isn't with the team on their road trip and is seeing a specialist in Toronto on Thursday, Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Poeltl has been sidelined since Dec. 21 due to a strained lower back, and he isn't traveling with the team on its West Coast road trip so he can see a specialist. Considering he is in Toronto and doesn't appear close to playing, it's probably safe to rule him out for the remainder of the road trip, which ends Sunday against Oklahoma City.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Listed out Wednesday
Rotowire
Poeltl (back) is out for Wednesday's game against the Kings.
Poeltl still has no timetable for a return due to a lower-back strain. Sandro Mamukelashvili should continue to play a significant role at center Wednesday, especially with rookie first-rounder Collin Murray-Boyles (thumb) joining Poeltl on the sidelines.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Won't go vs. Warriors
Rotowire
Poeltl (back) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against Golden State.
Poeltl hasn't seen the floor since Dec. 21 after suffering a back injury. He was cleared to participate in contact drills Jan. 5, but the team has failed to provide an update since then.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Out again Sunday
Rotowire
Poeltl (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Lakers, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.
Poeltl continues to miss time due to a back strain. His next chance at a return will arrive Tuesday at Golden State. Collin Murray-Boyles should draw another start at center Sunday as a result.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Won't return Friday
Rotowire
Poeltl (back) is out for Friday's game against the Clippers, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Poeltl was cleared for contact back on Jan. 5, but the Raptors have yet to provide an updated timetable. In the meantime, the team will likely continue to lean on Collin Murray-Boyles at center.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Listed as out for Wednesday
Rotowire
Poeltl is out for Wednesday's game against Indiana due to a lower-back strain.
Poeltl has been cleared for contact for over one week now, but the Raptors aren't yet ready to give him the green light for game action. Rookie first-rounder Collin Murray-Boyles has started six contests in a row amid Poeltl's absence, and the former should remain a very appealing streaming choice for Wednesday.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Another absence coming
Rotowire
Poeltl (back) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the 76ers.
Poeltl was cleared for contact back on Jan. 5 and is trending in the right direction, but the Raptors haven't determined a target date for his return. For what it's worth, head coach Darko Rajakovic said Sunday that Poeltl is without a definitive target date for a return, though that's not necessarily an indication that the veteran center has suffered a setback, per Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca. With Poeltl out for another game, Collin Murray-Boyles and Sandro Mamukelashvili will absorb most of the available minutes at center.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Set to practice Thursday
Rotowire
Poeltl (back) is scheduled to participate in Thursday's practice, Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca reports.
After he was recently cleared to resume taking contact, Poeltl will take another important step forward in his recovery from a lower-back strain by taking part in drills with his healthy teammates. Even if Poeltl checks out fine following Thursday's workout, he may not be cleared to play Friday in Boston, but it's apparent nonetheless that the veteran center is close to a return. Grange notes that the Raptors don't plan on re-signing recently waived big man Mo Bamba to a 10-day deal with the expectation that Poeltl will be back in the fold soon.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Won't play Wednesday
Rotowire
Poeltl (back) will not play Wednesday against the Hornets, Vivek Jacob of the Raptors' official site reports.
Poeltl will miss his eighth game in a row Wednesday. The center is getting closer to a return, however, as he was cleared for contact work on Jan. 5. His next chance to play comes Friday against Boston.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Progressing in recovery
Rotowire
Poeltl (back) has been cleared for contact work, Esfandiar Baraheni of The Athletic reports.
Poeltl is set to miss his seventh consecutive contest Monday due to a lower back strain, though the big man appears to be inching closer to a return. His next opportunity to suit up will come Wednesday against the Hornets, and the Raptors are expected to provide an update on his status by Tuesday night. If Poeltl misses additional time, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Murray-Boyles will likely continue to see increased burn.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Out at least one more week
Rotowire
The Raptors announced Monday that Poeltl (back) is c ompleting a program of "intensive rehab and strengthening" and will be re-evaluated in about one week, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.
Poeltl has been nursing an ongoing back issue since the preseason, which has resulted in him moving in and out of the lineup all season long. The Raptors are hoping that by building in more time for Poeltl to rehab the injury, his day-to-day availability will be more certain once he's eventually cleared to play again, per Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca. In the meantime, Sandro Mamukelashvili should have an extended runway to enhanced fantasy value as Toronto's starting center, while Collin Murray-Boyles also has an opportunity to claim a more sizable role in the frontcourt.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Remains out Monday
Rotowire
Poeltl (back) will not play Monday against the Magic, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Poeltl will miss his fourth straight game Monday and doesn't appear close to a return. The Raptors signed Mo Bamba to provide some emergency depth at center in the meantime.
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Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Missing third straight game
Rotowire
Poeltl (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Warriors.
Poeltl will miss his third straight game due to a lower back strain. Though the Raptors have been updating Poeltl's status on a game-by-game basis, it wouldn't be surprising if he missed additional time beyond Sunday, given that his back has been a recurring problem for him throughout the season. With Poeltl sidelined Sunday, Sandro Mamukelashvili will likely remain in the starting five, while Collin Murray-Boyles (illness) could see increased burn if he's cleared to play.
