The Toronto Raptors have dealt with a plethora of injuries in the early going of the 2024-25. Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic has given 16 players some minutes, while two rotational players have yet to see time this season. However, they are reportedly getting healthier and could have a few players dealing with injuries return this weekend.
Toronto (2-7) enters this weekend’s back-to-back games on a two-game losing streak. The Raptors, who are 0-4 on the road, continue their five-game road trip in Los Angeles at Crypto.com on Saturday and Sunday. They are expected to have Jonathan Mogbo available for tonight’s game against the Clippers and possibly Immanuel Quickley. After playing the Clippers tonight, the Raptors face the Lakers tomorrow.
When Will Immanuel Quickley Return For The Toronto Raptors and Updates On Jonathan Mogbo, Ja’Kobe Walter, and Garrett Temple
Mogbo is one of seven players to play in all nine games for the Raptors. The No. 31 overall pick in 2024 exited Wednesday’s loss to Sacramento early due to a right hip pointer, per Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.com. He totaled five points, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 18 minutes against the Kings before exiting—marking the fourth straight game that he has grabbed at least five boards.
If Mogbo does play tonight, as expected, he should continue to be a major part of Toronto‘s rotation. Mogbo, who has started one game, averages 6.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 17.7 minutes. He also compiles 1.1 steals with 50.0/16.7/69.2 shooting splits.
Mogbo, known for his defensive versatility, has scored in double-figures twice. The 6-9 forward has been efficient around the rim and has done an excellent job defensively, including on the defensive glass. He is holding his checks to 30% shooting from the field, including just 41.7% from six feet and in.
“Learning the physicality, learning how to maneuver around it,” Mogbo told The Athletic’s Eric Koreen when asked about defending the best centers. “I feel like I can use my speed and my quickness to help myself out and put myself in an advantage here. They obviously have a bigger size on me, (more) weight. So just trying to outsmart them.”
There is more positive for the Raptors, who have used five different starting lineups thus far. Murphy also reported that Quickley returned to practice on Friday and has been upgraded to questionable.
“Optimism that IQ is back this weekend,” Michael LaGrange of Sportnet.ca tweeted yesterday.
Immanuel Quickley Close To Returning
Quickley (pelvis) has been out since seeing 14 minutes of action in the Raptors opening night loss to Cleveland. When Quickley returns, even if for some reason he can’t this weekend, he will return to the starting unit where he will team with RJ Barrett and Gradey Dick as one of the top young starting backcourt units.
Davion Mitchell has been running the point with Quickley out. Mitchell has played very well in the early going. He has shot the ball pretty well, besides from deep, and facilitated the ball, though turnovers are a little bit of an issue. More importantly, the 26-year-old point guard has been solid defensively.
Mitchell has scored in double figures five times, topping the 20-point mark once and producing one double-double. He averages 10.0 points, 6.3 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals while shooting 46.2/29.7/77.8.
When Quickley does return, Mitchell will return to the backup role, with rookie Jamal Shead likely to be buried on the bench. Shead has served primarily as Mitchell’s understudy but will likely head down to the Raptors 906, Toronto’s G-League affiliate, once Scottie Barnes and Bruce Brown return.
Garrett Temple and Ja’Kobe Walter Updates
Garrett Temple hasn’t played since the second game of the season. He is dealing with back spasms and is unlikely to suit up against the Clippers, as he is listed as doubtful. The 38-year-old guard likely won’t see much time this season when he is cleared. He appeared in 25 games last season with the Raptors and 27 with New Orleans the prior season.
First-round pick Ja’Kobe Walter is among four Raptors listed out against the Clippers. Walter, who was inactive for the first five games due to a shoulder injury, re-injured the AC joint in the right shoulder on Wednesday. He is slated to be out until he is re-evaluated next week.
Walter has struggled in his four appearances off the bench on both ends. The 20-year-old guard has made just 3 of 16 shots from the field (18.8%), including missing 5 of 6 from deep. He nearly has as many fouls (8) as points (10),
Depending on the Raptors’ injury situation when he returns, Walter may find it difficult to get on the court until the end of the season. Kelly Olynyk (back) and Brown haven’t played this season, though Olynyk could return on November 16. Rajakovic said on November 1 that Olynyk would be out for a few weeks.
Barnes (broken nose) won’t need surgery but is out until November 21. Meanwhile, Brown (knee) is expected to remain sidelined at least until the end of November. Two of the Raptors’ three-way players, Ulrich Comanche and D.J. Carton, won’t be available as they are on G-League assignments.
