Raptors Rookies Receive Masked Injury Updates

With about a month remaining in the regular season, the Toronto Raptors are still unsure about whether Brandon Ingram will suit up for them in 2024-25. In their latest injury report, the star forward was said to be ramping up his basketball-related activities, and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Based on that timeline, the earliest that Ingram could return is on March 20, when the Raptors face the Golden State Warriors.

Raptors Rookies Receive Masked Injury Updates

Sophomore wing Gradey Dick will also be out for at least two more weeks due to a hyperextended knee and bone contusion (h/t TSN’s Josh Lewenberg). Furthermore, third-year wing Ochai Agbaji has only recently gotten out of his walking boot after spraining his ankle on Feb. 28. Meanwhile, rookie forward-center Ulrich Chomche will miss the remainder of the season with a partially torn MCL.

Ochai Agbaji got hurt on this possession.

Ochai and Jamal Shead are the only 2 Toronto Raptors to miss the fewest games, per Matty D.

Hopefully nothing serious. 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/bvDzOg720v

— Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) March 1, 2025

Then there are rookies Jonathan Mogbo and Jamison Battle, who will both be returning from their nasal fractures soon. Where Mogbo will be out for another week, Battle is preparing to suit up against the Utah Jazz on Friday. However, Mogbo will wear a mask for the remainder of the season (h/t CityNews Toronto’s Lindsay Dunn). Battle is wearing a mask as well, though it’s not clear whether he’ll continue to throughout the season.

Jonathan Mogbo suffered a nasal fracture and will be wearing a mask for the rest of the season per Raptors PR

— Lindsay Dunn (@LindsayDunnTV) March 6, 2025

In any case, wearing a mask is relatively commonplace for players who sustain facial injuries. Nevertheless, it can be a hindrance, either because it’s uncomfortable or alters their depth perception. With that in mind, Battle may be more affected by his new accessory than Mogbo will be. A 3-point specialist, 75.5 percent of his shot attempts have come from beyond the arc. Of those 3-point attempts, the 23-year-old has converted 42.3 percent.

Castleton and a masked Jamison Battle getting shots up https://t.co/0FRdacov1b pic.twitter.com/7ZYUFsRZIs

— Coty Wiles (@CotyWilesSports) March 6, 2025

Notably, Agbaji is the Raptors’ only other wing that’s an above-average 3-point threat, shooting 39.9 percent in 2024-25. Well, without counting Ingram, who’s a career 36.3 percent 3-point shooter. Thus, a seemingly innocuous mask could have a legitimate impact on their offense’s efficiency.

Eyes On The Prize

As Toronto appears to be focused on the 2025 NBA Draft, a potential handicap may not bother them too much.

Per Tankathon, they’re projected to have the fifth overall pick. They also have a 10.5 percent chance of winning the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft Lottery. That being said, the Raptors would be hard-pressed to finish the season below the franchises who currently have a worse win-loss record. However, they’re in a great position to land a star-caliber NBA prospect this summer.