The Toronto Raptors will have to continue their West Coast road trip shorthanded, but got a bit of good news on the injury front.
While Collin Murray-Boyles and RJ Barrett remain out for Wednesday's showdown against the Sacramento Kings, Barrett is apparently said to be close to a return, per Sportsnet's Blake Murphy.
Additionally, centre Jakob Poeltl (back) and wing Ja'Kobe Walter (hip) will remain out. Poeltl is back in Toronto for a specialist appointment on Thursday, per Sportsnet's Michael Grange.
Barrett has been out for the Raptors' last six games after suffering a left ankle sprain on Jan. 9 against the Boston Celtics. He has been with the team during the road trip and has been practising and participating at shootaround.
The 25-year-old has had a strong campaign for the Raptors when he has been available, averaging 19.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 49.6 per cent from the field and 35.5 per cent from three-point range.
Murray-Boyles, meanwhile, missed Tuesday's game against the Warriors after suffering a left thumb contusion on Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers. Along with the contusion, he has also been diagnosed with a sprained thumb and is day-to-day, per Grange.
The rookie forward has established himself as a key contributor with plenty of bodies out for Toronto. Through 37 games this season, he is averaging 7.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists.
At 26-19, the Raptors sit fourth in the Eastern Conference, seven games back of the first-place Detroit Pistons. The Kings are 14th in the West at 12-32.
