Jakob Poeltl is preparing for a return to the court.
The Toronto Raptors centre has been cleared for contact and is conditioning for a return to the court, but will remain out against the Atlanta Hawks, head coach Darko Rajakovic told reporters on Monday.
The Raptors announced on Dec. 29 that Poeltl would be re-evaluated in one week as he continued to recover from a lower back strain. He was working to complete a program of intensive rehabilitation and strengthening, the team said in a press release.
The seven-footer has been nursing a lower back injury all season, culminating in him missing eight of Toronto's last nine games, playing only seven minutes before having to exit against the Brooklyn Nets on Dec. 21.
The 30-year-old's production decreased this season while he's dealt with the back issues. Poeltl is averaging 9.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists through 21 appearances on the heels of a career-best season in 2024-25, which earned the 30-year-old a three-year, $84 million extension in the off-season.
The Raptors are set to wrap up their five-game homestand against the Hawks on Monday night.
