Toronto center Jakob Poeltl says he feels fully healthy after a back issue sidelined him for 33 games earlier this season. Speaking with Sportsnet.ca, the 30-year-old admitted the injury’s cause remains unclear but emphasized that the discomfort has subsided.
Poeltl has averaged 13.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.4 blocks and 0.9 steals while shooting 70.8 percent over his past nine outings (27.9 minutes per game). He logged a season-high 36 minutes in Sunday’s win over Detroit, finishing with 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting, 18 boards and five assists opposite All-Star big man Jalen Duren.
“I felt fine, honestly,” Poeltl said, noting it was his first 36-minute appearance since December 1, 2024. “Obviously, after a big game you feel your body aching a little bit, but that’s normal for everybody.”
The center added that the most challenging aspect of the injury was the lack of a clear recovery timeline. “We almost made up some timelines, kind of hoping that this would be when I would feel better again, but realistically it wasn’t something that time was just gonna fix,” he explained.
Poeltl’s health provides Toronto with a boost heading into a difficult stretch that begins Friday in Denver against two-time MVP Nikola Jokić.
Other Atlantic Division Notes
Collin Murray-Boyles: The Raptors’ lottery pick will miss his 10th straight contest Friday due to a left thumb sprain but is “very close” to returning, head coach Darko Rajaković told reporters. The rookie has been scrimmaging and completing conditioning drills after injuring the thumb in January.
Jose Alvarado: Knicks guard Jalen Brunson praised Alvarado for bringing “constant energy” whether or not he plays. “That’s a skill that makes someone last in the league a long time,” Brunson said Thursday.
Noah Clowney: Nets forward Clowney sat out Friday’s game against New York with a right wrist sprain sustained Wednesday versus Oklahoma City. Head coach Jordi Fernandez expects him to be sidelined again Sunday in Sacramento and said the rookie will be reevaluated afterward.
Michael Porter Jr.: Porter, out at least two to three weeks with a right hamstring strain, has no definitive timetable for a return. “We cannot predict, but it’ll be close,” Fernandez said, adding that the forward will need a ramp-up period once cleared.
Source: Hoops Rumors
