Raptors Getting Healthy: Toronto Shares Update on RJ Barrett

RJ Barrett is back. The Toronto Raptors are finally set to have their starting lineup back at full strength Sunday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder as Barrett has been cleared to return from his left knee injury, the team announced. Barrett had missed three games for Toronto who had been dealing with injuries to Jakob Poeltl and Immanuel Quickley. Both Quickley and Poeltl returned Friday night against the Houston Rockets and Barrett’s return will give Toronto its first look at its new starting lineup since Pascal Siakam was traded earlier this month. It’s unclear who Toronto will start alongside Barnes, Poelt, Quickley, and Barrett. The Raptors had been starting Bruce Brown and Gary Trent Jr. One of the two will be moved to the bench where both have plenty of experience playing in the second unit.

Toronto’s lone outstanding injury is to Jontay Porter who is battling back spasms and has been ruled out. The Raptors have just three more games before the trade deadline to take a final look at their now healthy roster before Feb. 8. Brown and Trent are among the players Toronto may be looking to trade along with Dennis Schröder who has filled in as Toronto’s sixth man and backup point guard lately. BETTING CONTENT Expect Thad Young to continue to see playing time off the bench as Toronto’s backup big while Porter is sidelined. For the Thunder, Jalen Williams and Isaiah Joe have both been ruled out. They’re both key losses for Oklahoma City, but the Thunder remain heavy favorites to beat Toronto.