Jakob Poeltl may play Wednesday for the Toronto Raptors.
It's a positive sign for Poeltl who is listed as questionable with a left ankle sprain, the team announced Tuesday afternoon. Poeltl left Monday's game in the third quarter with the ankle sprain and did not return.
Poeltl missed 11 games earlier this year with a sprain to his left ankle, adding extra concern to his injury Monday.
If Toronto does opt to play it cautious with Poeltl, expect Kelly Olynyk to get the start. Toronto could call up Jontay Porter from the G League should Poeltl be expected to miss extended time, but the Raptors have listed the backup center as out.
The Raptors will need Poeltl near full strength for the stretch run as the team sits just 3.5 games back of the Atlanta Hawks in the play-in chase. Toronto's hopes had been dwindling, but three straight victories and an injury to Trae Young who will miss at least a month has opened the door for the Raptors to sneak in as the 10th seed in the conference.
Toronto struggled without Poeltl the last time the 28-year-old missed time, going 2-9 over the stretch without him. That was, however, before the Raptors acquired Olynyk at the trade deadline who should help keep Toronto afloat if Poeltl misses games this time around.
The Raptors did not practice Tuesday and it's likely an official update on Poeltl's status won't come until pre-game activities Wednesday night when Toronto returns home to take on the Dallas Mavericks.
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