It appears that the Toronto Raptors are finally starting to heal.
Jakob Poeltl and Bruce Brown have both been upgraded to questionable for the Raptors home game on Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks, according to Sportsnet's Blake Murphy.
Poeltl, 29, has missed the past four games after suffering a bilateral groin strain against the Chicago Bulls on Dec. 16.
The seven-foot Austrian centre is in the midst of his best season statistically, averaging career highs in points (15.5) and rebounds (11.0), adding 2.7 assists and 1.2 blocks. His 3.9 offensive rebounds per game is tied for second in the NBA.
Poeltl has proven to have a significant impact on both the Raptors play in the paint and overall level of competition. Last season the team went 4-28 without the big man, including a 2-9 stretch in January 2024 where the rest of the team was healthy.
During that 11 game span, the Raptors ranked 29th in defensive rebounding percentage (67.8 per cent) opponent offensive rebounding percentage (32.3 per cent) and opponent points in the paint (59.3). This season, the Raptors' net rating is 8.6 points worse with Poeltl off the floor.
Brown is yet to play for the Raptors this season after undergoing off-season knee surgery. In 2023-24, he averaged 10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 67 games split between Toronto and the Indiana Pacers.
The 28-year-old veteran has shown a great deal of versatility throughout his NBA career, and has played almost every position from point guard to small-ball centre.
Rookie Ja'Kobe Walter has also been upgraded to questionable after missing the Raptors last game due to illness. Immanuel Quickley remains out.
Toronto ranks third in the league in man games lost to injury this season with 126.
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