Toronto center Jakob Poeltl was cleared on the injury report Wednesday night, a step up from day-to-day. The update came 24 minutes before the Raptors tip off at Denver.
What happened
Raptors center Jakob Poeltl was cleared on the injury report at 8:36 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Nov. 4. His previous status was day-to-day. The report gives no detail and no comment. Earlier listings covered a left shoulder and arm issue. He moved from out to day-to-day on Tuesday, Nov. 3. On Monday, Nov. 2, he went from day-to-day to out, after a day-to-day listing earlier that day. He had been out on Sunday, Nov. 1. Toronto plays at Denver at 9 p.m. ET, 24 minutes after the update.
What it means for the Raptors
Toronto is 4-3, the fifth seed, with a one-game winning streak. The Raptors are 3-2 with Poeltl and 1-1 without him. He averages 20.2 minutes, 4.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.0 assist in five games. In the games he missed, Collin Murray-Boyles played 20.3 minutes and scored 9.1 points per game. Jamison Battle played 16.1 minutes. Scottie Barnes led the team with 33.5 minutes. Kawhi Leonard is out with a left knee and leg issue, and Nate Bittle is out with a right foot and leg issue.
What to watch
The first thing to watch is how many minutes Poeltl plays at Denver after missing time earlier this week. He was cleared with no restriction listed, so any limit would show up in the rotation. No return date is needed, because he is cleared. Leonard and Bittle remain out, and no return date has been announced for either. The Nuggets game is the only date on the schedule for now.
Is Jakob Poeltl playing at the Nuggets?
He was cleared on the injury report at 8:36 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Tipoff at Denver is 9 p.m. ET. His previous status was day-to-day.
When will Jakob Poeltl be back?
He has been cleared, so no return date applies. He was listed out on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2, with a left shoulder and arm issue, and day-to-day on Nov. 3.