The Toronto Raptors will be down at least two starters when they return from the holiday break.
RJ Barrett (knee) and Jakob Poeltl (back) have been ruled out for Friday's game in Washington against the Wizards, the Raptors announced Thursday.
Poeltl has been bothered by the injury most of the season. He missed Tuesday's win over the Miami Heat. Friday will mark his fourth absence in the Raptors' last five games and his 11th missed appearance in total this season.
Barrett, from Mississauga, Ont., last played Nov. 23 and is set to miss his 15th consecutive game. Before taking on the Wizards, Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic told reporters that the starting guard is progressing "really well" and is considered day-to-day moving forward.
On a more positive note, star forward Scottie Barnes will be available for Friday's matchup after he entered the day with a questionable designation due to illness. He'll be joined by A.J. Lawson, who'll also be available to play, while fellow two-way players Chucky Hepburn and Alijah Martin have been ruled out.
Meanwhile, rookie Collin Murray-Boyles also won't be available as he was a late scratch on Friday due to an illness of his own. The forward was upgraded to available pre-game but was later ruled out minutes before tip-off.
Watch the Raptors take on the Wizards in Washington at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet or Sportsnet+.
