Toronto Raptors forward Jared Sullinger‘s status for the beginning of the regular season could be up in the air.
Ahead of their pre-season finale against the Washington Wizards Friday, Raptors coach Dwane Casey told reporters that the big man will not be in the lineup and may not be ready for Wednesday’s regular-season opener.
Sullinger has been sidelined for all but the Raptors’ first exhibition game with an ankle injury he suffered in that Vancouver contest that was originally deemed to be not too serious.
Acquired in free agency this off-season, Sullinger figured to be the Raptors’ opening-night starting power forward. With the uncertainty of his status now, however, it’s more likely that Patrick Patterson or rookie Pascal Siakam — who’s seen time starting at the four in pre-season — gets the first-game nod should Casey want to keep his rotation intact and have Patterson be the first guy off the bench.
Toronto plays the Detroit Pistons in its season opener Wednesday.