The Toronto Raptors will be without three of their five starters against Zach Edey and the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.
Jakob Poeltl is out with the right hip pointer that caused him to leave Tuesday’s game against the New York Knicks, while Immanuel Quickley will sit to manage the groin strain from which he recently returned.
Poeltl had five points and two rebounds before being forced to exit at halftime against the Knicks.
Sportsnet’s Michael Grange reported Tuesday that the Los Angeles Lakers — who just traded away star centre Anthony Davis — have inquired about Poeltl, but that the Raptors are holding out for an offer that includes a first-round pick.
Grange also added that the Raptors may not be eager to trade the Austrian as they see him as an essential piece to help them transition from their current rebuild.
Poeltl, 29, is averaging 14.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per game for the Raptors this season — both career highs.
The Raptors have dealt with multiple significant injuries this season, and Quickley has missed more games due to injury than any other Toronto player. After signing a five-year, $175-million deal in the off-season, the lead guard has suited up in only 12 of the Raptors’ 50 contests. Quickley, 25, is averaging 15.0 points, 2.1 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game while shooting 40.7 per cent from the field and 36.8 per cent from three-point range.
Kelly Olynyk, Ochai Agbaji, Ja’Kobe Walter and Davion Mitchell are all options to slot into the starting lineup in the absence of the three starters.
Meanwhile, Chris Boucher will be available for the Raptors on Wednesday despite entering the day as questionable due to illness. The Montreal native leads Toronto in scoring off the bench this season and was absent with the ailment for Monday’s loss to the Knicks.
Wednesday night’s game will also mark the first time Edey plays professionally in his hometown of Toronto.
