Walter had 17 points (6-10 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT), three rebounds, two assists and one steal in 25 minutes during Thursday's 123-120 loss to the Lakers.
Walter made his fifth start of the campaign Thursday, and that's a role he's struggled with previously -- he's produced averages of 7.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists in that sample size. While Thursday's line was encouraging, Walter's fantasy production has been a bit too volatile at times, so managers would like to see more consistency. When RJ Barrett (knee) returns, Walter will slide back to a bench role.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Offers little in start
Rotowire
Walter logged five points (1-3 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and seven rebounds across 27 minutes during Saturday's 118-111 overtime loss to the Hornets.
Walter moved into the starting lineup for just the second time this season, replacing Collin Murray-Boyles, who shifted back to the bench. Despite the promotion, Walter failed to make the most of his opportunity, scoring no more than five points for the third time in the past five games. He has been alternating good and bad games over his past six appearances, a trend he will look to continue when the Raptors face the Knicks on Sunday.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Starting Saturday
Rotowire
Walter will start Saturday's game against the Hornets.
After Collin Murray-Boyles got the starting nod in Wednesday's win over Indiana with RJ Barrett (knee) sidelined, Walter will return to the starting five Saturday. Over his last five appearances (one start), the second-year guard has averaged 9.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.2 steals in 22.4 minutes per contest.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Moved back to bench
Rotowire
Walter won't start Wednesday's game against the Pacers.
Walter made a spot start Monday in place of RJ Barrett (knee). While Barrett remains out Wednesday, the Raptors are turning to Collin Murray-Boyles in the first unit. Walter logged five points, three rebounds, one assist and two steals during the start.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Does little in spot start
Rotowire
Walter logged five points (2-8 FG, 1-5 3Pt), three rebounds, one assist and two steals over 24 minutes during the Raptors' 110-99 win over the Cavaliers on Monday.
Walter made his first start of the season Monday due to the absence of RJ Barrett (knee). Walter didn't make much of an impact during Monday's win, though he did tie Jakob Poeltl with a team-high two steals. Walter could start against the Pacers on Wednesday if Barrett is not cleared to return.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Starting role Monday
Rotowire
Walter is in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Cavaliers.
Walter will make his first start of the season with RJ Barrett (knee) sidelined. The second-year guard is coming off a season-high 16-point outing in Sunday's win over the Nets and is averaging 10.0 points, 2.3 steals, 1.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 18.7 minutes across the Raptors' past three games.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Provides spark off bench in win
Rotowire
Walter logged 16 points (6-7 FG, 4-5 FT), one rebound and one steal over 19 minutes during the Raptors' 119-109 win over the Nets on Sunday.
Walter led the Raptors with four three-pointers, and his 16 points were tied with RJ Barrett (knee) for second most on the team behind Scottie Barnes (17), in what was a balanced scoring effort from Toronto. Walter has seen more playing time of late, having logged 15 minutes or more in four of his last five outings. The second-year pro could be in line for a larger role, as Barrett is getting imaging Monday to determine the severity of his right knee sprain that he suffered during the third quarter of Sunday's game, per Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Limited role continues
Rotowire
Walter ended Saturday's 129-111 win over the Pacers with three points (1-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and three steals across 15 minutes.
Walter continues to play limited minutes off the bench and has yet to exceed 16 minutes in any game thus far. As long as the Raptors are healthy, it appears as though Walter will be utilized sparingly on most nights, limiting his fantasy value to only the deepest leagues. Through 10 games, he is averaging just 3.2 points in 11.9 minutes.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Fares well in limited run
Rotowire
Walter registered eight points (2-3 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-3 FT) and three rebounds over 11 minutes during Tuesday's 128-100 win over the Bucks.
This game was a blowout for Toronto, allowing the team to rely on its bench down the stretch. This was Walter's fifth appearance of the season, and it's clear that he's not going to see much playing time while the Raptors are close to full strength.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Makes 2025-26 debut
Rotowire
Walter (illness) tallied three points (1-2 FG, 1-2 3Pt), one rebound, one assist and one block across 10 minutes Monday in the Raptors' 121-103 loss to the Spurs.
Walter was sidelined for the Raptors' season-opening win over the Hawks last Wednesday due to the illness, but he had been available for both of Toronto's subsequent two contests. He went unused in both of those games as a coach's decision, but Walter was able to crack the rotation Monday while Gradey Dick (eight minutes) had his playing time scaled back. Walter was a minus-10 during his abbreviated time on the court, so it's unclear if head coach Darko Rajakovic will have much motivation to make him a regular part of the second unit moving forward.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Upgraded to probable
Rotowire
Walter has been upgraded to probable for Friday's game against the Bucks with an illness.
Walter is likely to be available for his season debut Friday. The swingman will be an option near the end of the Toronto bench, but his presence may not adversely affect the playing time of Gradey Dick and Ochai Agbaji very much.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Scores 10 points in spot start
Rotowire
Walter had 10 points (3-10 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 3-3 FT), four rebounds, two assists and two steals in 22 minutes during Sunday's preseason victory over Washington.
Coming off a poor performance Friday, Walter was inserted into the starting lineup, with Brandon Ingram given the night off. In what was a much-improved effort, Walter pushed his claim for a regular rotation spot, something that is far from a guarantee. Despite a strong end to the 2024-25 season, Walter will have to claw his way to playing time, assuming the Toronto roster can remain healthy.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Provides 15 points from bench
Rotowire
Walter posted 15 points (4-7 FG, 5-5 FT, 2-3 3Pt), three rebounds, three assists, a steal and a blocked shot over 22 minutes in Wednesday's 130-122 preseason win over the Kings.
Walter's participation as a rookie was aided by numerous injuries on Toronto's roster. Still, the team enters the season with a fairly clean bill of health Brandon Ingram's addition doesn't help Walter's cause either. For now, it appears that the Baylor product will compete for minutes in the second unit alongside Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji and Jamison Battle.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Drops 16 in SL win
Rotowire
Walter tallied 16 points (6-15 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-5 FT), four rebounds, two steals and one block across 21 minutes during Sunday's 89-86 Summer League win against the Magic.
Walter got the job done on both ends of the floor Sunday, leading all of Toronto's starters with 16 points while also impacting the game defensively. The Baylor product is coming off his first year in the NBA, where he played in 52 regular-season games for the Raptors and averaged 8.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists across 21.2 minutes per game.
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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: 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: 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.
