Nate Bittle remains day-to-day with a right foot issue after sitting out Thursday's scrimmage, Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca reports. The Raptors open their season Saturday at home against Miami without him and without a return timetable.
What happened
Bittle is listed as day-to-day on the Raptors' injury report issued Saturday, Oct. 3 at 11:37 a.m. ET, the same designation he carried into the update. The issue is now logged as a right foot problem, after earlier versions of the report over the past month tracked it as his right knee and then his right lower leg. Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca reports that Bittle did not participate in Thursday's scrimmage. The report lists Oct. 3 as the date tied to his day-to-day evaluation, with no further timetable given.
What it means for the Raptors
Toronto opens its season Saturday at 7 p.m. ET against Miami on NBA TV, and Bittle will not play. He has no established regular-season line yet, so there is no per-game production of his own to replace. Jakob Poeltl, who played 25.0 minutes and scored 10.7 points per game without him, projects as the primary center, with Sandro Mamukelashvili (21.9 minutes, 11.2 points) and Collin Murray-Boyles (21.9 minutes, 8.5 points) covering frontcourt minutes behind him. The Raptors have not played a game this season, so there is no record to measure with or without Bittle on the floor.
What to watch
The Raptors will issue an updated injury report before tipoff and again ahead of their next game. Thursday's missed scrimmage is the latest signal on the right foot, and no return timetable beyond the Oct. 3 evaluation date has been announced. Toronto's season opener against Miami tips off Saturday night, and Bittle's next opportunity depends on what the team's following report shows.
Is Nate Bittle playing vs Heat?
No. He is day-to-day with a right foot issue and did not take part in Thursday's scrimmage, according to Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca.
When will Nate Bittle be back?
Not announced. The Raptors' report lists him as day-to-day as of Oct. 3 with no return timetable given.