Poeltl's Possible Return Gives Toronto Size Against a Thin…

By the Raptors Nightly Desk · Monday, November 2

Jakob Poeltl moved from out to day-to-day on Monday, with an estimated return of today, and Toronto plays at the Clippers tonight. Toronto is 3-3 and holds the sixth seed after a 131-125 loss in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Jakob Poeltl of the Raptors — Jakob Poeltl. Photo: Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

A Center Comes Back

Poeltl was not listed before Sunday's game, then went down with a left shoulder problem. By Monday he was day-to-day. Nate Bittle, out with a right foot problem, also carries an estimated return of today. Kawhi Leonard remains out with a left knee problem and is estimated back November 23. In Los Angeles, Toronto started Trayce Jackson-Davis, then went smaller after halftime. TSN's Josh Lewenberg noted that Walker Kessler has made 40 of 48 shots in his career against Toronto and tied that to a lack of size here. Poeltl's five games this season are a small sample, but rim protection is what Toronto lacked on Sunday.

A Clippers Team in Trouble

The Clippers are 1-5 and have lost five straight. Their net rating is minus 6.7 over six games, and they allow 112.3 points per 100 possessions. Bradley Beal, Brandon Ingram and Max Strus are out, along with Jordan Miller and Yanic Konan Niederhauser. Derrick Jones Jr. is day-to-day. Darius Garland, at 20.8 points a game, carries the offense. Toronto's own net rating is plus 7.8, built on a 115.1 offense.

The Road Ahead

Toronto then visits the Nuggets on Wednesday and the Bucks on Friday, so this is the softest stop of three straight road games. A win keeps the Raptors level with the pace that projects to 41-41. The open question is minutes. Ja'Kobe Walter has played 33.7 a night over his last five games, and Jamal Shead and RJ Barrett have each taken on more without Leonard. A healthy Poeltl would let Rajakovic spread that load, but a day-to-day tag does not promise he plays.

Is Jakob Poeltl playing against the Clippers tonight?

He is listed day-to-day with a left shoulder problem and an estimated return of November 2. His status is not final until game time.

When is Kawhi Leonard expected back for the Raptors?

His estimated return is November 23. He is out with a left knee problem and has played two games this season.

By the Raptors Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.