The Toronto Raptors will be starting the 2024-25 season a bit shorthanded.
The team announced Tuesday that they will be without RJ Barrett, Kelly Olynyk, Bruce Brown and rookie Ja’Kobe Walter for their opening game Wednesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Barrett was considered day-to-day ahead of the opener after suffering a sprained shoulder earlier in the pre-season. He has been out since the team’s first pre-season game on Oct. 6 but engaged in non-contact practice with the team on Monday.
“I mean, it feels better than it did two weeks ago,” Barrett told reporters after practice on Tuesday. “Sometimes I feel good. Yesterday, it didn’t feel so good, so it’s a work in progress.”
Olynyk missed the team’s final three pre-season games with back stiffness and only played one exhibition game with the team. He did not practise on Tuesday.
Brown is out indefinitely after undergoing arthroscopic right knee surgery in the off-season. He missed the entirety of the pre-season.
Walter also missed the pre-season while dealing with a shoulder injury suffered in workouts with the team ahead of training camp.
The Raptors open the 2024-25 season against the Cavaliers on Wednesday night. You can watch the game on Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.
