The Toronto Raptors may be a little more shorthanded than originally expected against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Centre Jakob Poeltl has been downgraded to questionable as he continues to manage a lower-back injury, the team announced ahead of Thursday’s game in Milwaukee.
He was previously listed as probable.
Poeltl has been in and out of the lineup for much of the season and has missed seven games. However, he has played four in a row since sitting out a game against the Lakers on Nov. 4 — the first half of a back-to-back.
He suffered the initial injury on Oct. 27, when he exited a game early against the San Antonio Spurs and missed the two subsequent games.
The issue has slowed down his production this season, holding him to averages of 10.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per game while playing 26.2 minutes a night.
Also out for the Raptors on Thursday is RJ Barrett, who has been sidelined with a right knee sprain since Nov. 23. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection last week and has been participating in return-to-play activities this week.
The Mississauga, Ont., native had a strong start to his season before the injury, averaging 19.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 30.9 minutes in 17 games.
Toronto is currently 16-11 and sits third in the Eastern Conference.