Key Raptors sidelined, but Clippers arrive with their own injury woes.
The Toronto Raptors face the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night at Scotiabank Arena, and both teams are dealing with long lists of injuries heading into the matchup.
The Raptors (25-17) are coming off a solid 115-101 win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, but they had to do it without several key players and will face similar lineup questions against the Clippers.
R.J. Barrett (ankle), Ja'Kobe Walter (hip), Jakob Poeltl (back), and Chucky Hepburn (G League) are all ruled out for Friday's game, while Jamison Battle (ankle) is doubtful after leaving the Pacers game early with an injury.
Key Players Return to Questionable Status
The good news for Toronto is that Garrett Temple (back spasms) is listed as questionable, and Sandro Mamukelashvili (illness) has been upgraded to probable, which gives the team hope that they could return to action.
Immanuel Quickley (back spasms) has been downgraded to doubtful however.
Quickley has been a big part of the Raptors' success this season, putting up 16.5 points and 6.1 assists per game, and his playmaking would be a welcome addition, but it is not looking good for his status on Friday.
The Raptors showed against the Pacers that they can still win games even when they are shorthanded.
Brandon Ingram led the way with 30 points on 12-of-23 shooting, while Scottie Barnes stuffed the stat sheet with 26 points, 13 assists, and seven rebounds.
Clippers Bring Their Own Injury Concerns
The Los Angeles Clippers (17-23) are not exactly coming in healthy either.
Bradley Beal is out for the season with a hip fracture, Bogdan Bogdanovic (hamstring) and Derrick Jones Jr. (knee) remain sidelined, and Chris Paul is not with the team.
On top of that, Kawhi Leonard (ankle) is out, and Ivica Zubac (ankle) and John Collins (groin) are listed as questionable.
The Clippers have been on a nice run lately, winning 11 of their last 13 games and four straight heading into this matchup, but their success has come with a healthy Leonard and Zubac in the lineup.
How the Raptors Can Get the Win
If the Raptors want to come away with a victory on Friday night, they will need to lean on their two stars and hope that some of their questionable players can give them minutes.
Barnes and Ingram have been one of the best duos in the Eastern Conference this season, averaging 19.4 and 21.9 points per game respectively.
The Raptors also take care of the ball better than the Clippers, averaging 13.0 turnovers per game compared to 14.1 for Los Angeles, and that could make the difference.
Gradey Dick also stepped up in the Pacers game with 21 points and 11 rebounds for his first career double-double, showing that the young Raptors can contribute when called upon.
Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.