The Toronto Raptors will have to go yet another game without their starting centre as they try to get back in the win column.
Big man Jakob Poeltl has been listed as out for Friday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers as he continues to deal with lower-back tightness, the team announced Thursday.
Poeltl missed Wednesday's 139-121 loss to the Houston Rockets.
He suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of the Raptors' loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. He played 24 minutes and went to the locker room early in the fourth before the team announced that he wouldn't return.
There wasn't one moment that seemed to force Poeltl from the contest, but the 30-year-old has been dealing with back pain since the pre-season.
The 30-year-old is averaging 6.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 0.5 blocks while shooting 59.1 per cent from the field in his limited showings this season.
Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles replaced Poeltl in the starting lineup on Wednesday, making his first NBA start. He finished with 13 points, one rebound and two assists in 25 minutes.
The Raptors (1-4) are in the midst of a four-game losing streak since opening the season with a win over the Atlanta Hawks.
