Raptors Lean on G League Reinforcements as Injuries Pile Up in Boston
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The Toronto Raptors turned to two players on G League assignments Friday night in a 120-118 loss to the Boston Celtics after injuries sidelined several regulars at TD Garden.
With Brandon Ingram (sprained right thumb), Scottie Barnes (unspecified), and Jakob Poeltl (ankle) already out, head coach Darko Rajaković gave rotation minutes to rookies Jonathan Mogbo and Alijah Martin. Toronto’s situation worsened when RJ Barrett rolled his left ankle early in the fourth quarter and did not return.
G League call-ups hold their own
Mogbo logged 19 minutes, while Martin—selected 39th overall in last year’s draft—played 15. Assigned to defend MVP candidate Jaylen Brown, Martin helped limit Brown to 6-for-16 shooting, although the Celtics star still finished with 25 points. Martin contributed seven points, three assists, and a block.
“I felt good, really good,” Martin said postgame. “You can’t give a guy like [Brown] any space because with his speed and power, you’re just cooked.”
Ingram misses first game of season
Ingram sat out for the first time after appearing in Toronto’s first 38 contests. The 26-year-old forward, who was limited to 18 games last season by a high ankle sprain, took part in Friday’s shootaround and hopes to play Sunday against the Philadelphia 76ers.
“It’s been a long time since I played consecutive games over and over again,” Ingram said. “It feels good just to be on the floor and have a basketball in my hand.”
Agbaji DNP despite short bench
Fourth-year guard Ochai Agbaji did not see the court. Agbaji started 10 straight games in December, but his minutes have dwindled. On a $6.4 million expiring contract, he is viewed around the league as a potential trade piece as Toronto looks to slip under the luxury-tax threshold.
Latest injury updates
- X-rays on Barrett’s ankle were negative, but he and Poeltl have been ruled out for Sunday.
- Ingram and Barnes are listed as questionable for the matchup with Philadelphia.
Source: Hoops Rumors
