Jakob Poeltl will return to the court for the Raptors tonight in his first action since December 21 as the team faces off against the Pistons, Sportsnet’s Blake Murphy notes (via Twitter).
Murphy adds that Poeltl will be on some form of minutes restriction, though it’s not clear what his limit will be. Toronto has prioritized caution with the back injuries that have limited the Austrian big man to just 21 games this season; according to Murphy, Poeltl’s main goal is simply to be loose out there and try to play without thinking about the injury.
The lingering back strain has made it difficult for Poeltl to get a rhythm during the time he’s been on the court. He is playing his fewest minutes since the 2019/20 season and scoring at his lowest rate since 2021/22, though he’s managed to be efficient in his time, posting a career-high 69.1% true shooting percentage.
Rookie big man Collin Murray-Boyles and Sandro Mamukelashvili have split much of the starting center responsibilities in Poeltl’s absence, with Mamukelashvili starting 11 games and Murray-Boyles starting 19, including the last 15 games that he’s suited up for.
Murray-Boyles will miss tonight’s game with a thumb injury, and it’s unconfirmed whether Poeltl will step straight back into the starting lineup.
While returning against the East-leading Pistons is no easy feat, Poeltl will not have to go against Detroit’s physical center tandem of Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, as both will be serving the first games of their respective suspensions for their involvement in Monday’s brawl against the Hornets.
Turtle picked the right game to return against Paul Reed.
Should have been dealt for Nurkic or Aldama.