TITLE: Quickley’s 40-point night fuels trade inquiries; Barrett, Murray-Boyles, Poeltl updates
SLUG: quickley-40-point-night-raptors-injury-updates
CONTENT:
Toronto is actively testing the market for guard Immanuel Quickley, and the 24-year-old may have strengthened his appeal with a standout performance in Tuesday’s 145-113 victory over Golden State. Quickley matched his career high by scoring 40 points on 11-of-13 shooting, knocked down 7-of-8 from beyond the arc and handed out 10 assists.
“I told a couple of the guys, just have the mindset to come out and be aggressive,” Quickley said after missing two games last week with back spasms. “The game is more like 70 or 80 percent mental.”
Quickley has remained mostly healthy this season after appearing in only 33 games a year ago. His contract—worth $97.5 million over the next three seasons—could influence what rival clubs are willing to offer.
Barrett nearing return
Forward RJ Barrett will sit out his seventh consecutive game Wednesday in Sacramento because of a sprained ankle, but the team hopes he can rejoin the lineup Friday in Portland or Sunday in Oklahoma City. Barrett has played just six times over the past two months while dealing with ankle and knee issues.
“It’s annoying, us losing some games and seeing, man, I could have helped us here,” Barrett said before Tuesday’s contest. “I’m just trying to be patient so I can come back and really help us.”
Murray-Boyles awaiting diagnosis
No timetable has been released for rookie big man Collin Murray-Boyles, who left Sunday’s game after taking a hit to his ailing left thumb. X-rays were negative, and further evaluation is underway. Pressed into action by frontcourt injuries, the first-year center has started nine times and is averaging 10.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and strong interior defense.
Poeltl sees specialist
Center Jakob Poeltl, sidelined by a lower-back strain, has returned to Toronto and will meet with a back specialist Thursday. The veteran has appeared in only 21 games this season and has logged just one brief stint since December 15.
Source: Hoops Rumors
