The Toronto Raptors could be on the verge of getting an important starter back.
RJ Barrett has been upgraded to questionable ahead of the Raptors’ game against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, the team announced Saturday.
Meanwhile, Jakob Poeltl will remain out with lower back stiffness and rookie Collin Murray-Boyles is questionable after missing Toronto’s game on Friday due to illness.
It is the first time Barrett has been questionable since he sustained a right knee sprain against the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 23. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection two weeks ago and has been participating in return-to-play activities.
The Mississauga, Ont., native had a strong start to his season before the injury, averaging 19.4 points on a career-high 60.4 true shooting percentage, adding 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists over 17 games.
The Raptors have struggled with Barrett out, going 6-9 after starting the season 12-5.
Poeltl, who has been nursing a lower back injury all season, has missed four of Toronto’s last five games, playing only seven minutes before having to exit against the Brooklyn Nets on Dec. 21.
The seven-foot centre’s production decreased this season while he’s dealt with the back issues. Poeltl is averaging 9.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists through 21 appearances on the heels of a career-best season in 2024-25, which earned the 30-year-old a three-year, $84 million extension in the off-season.
Murray-Boyles, 20, is averaging 7.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 26 games this season. He recorded his first career double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, also grabbing three steals and a block, in his last game against the Miami Heat on Tuesday.