Raptors Nearly at Full Strength to Start the Regular Season

The Toronto Raptors will start the season with a full roster save for Christian Koloko who continues to battle ongoing respiratory issues

The Toronto Raptors will nearly be at full strength Friday night when the regular season tips off against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Christian Koloko remains the only player sidelined as he continues to deal with ongoing respiratory issues. It’s unclear if he’s progressing toward a return as the team has elected to keep his situation vague. He was, however, seen casually shooting around alongside multiple Raptors assistant coaches during Tuesday’s practice.

Toronto is planning to take it easy with Otto Porter Jr., who missed all but eight games last year. He played in just one of Toronto’s preseason games but is expected to be in the lineup Wednesday.

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Scottie Barnes has been a full participant in practice and there are no concerns about an ankle injury that forced him to exit the final preseason game for the Raptors.

Precious Achiuwa is good to go after missing the bulk of the preseason with a left groin strain.

Toronto will likely go with its preseason starters for Game 1 with Dennis Schröder joining Pascal Siakam, O.G. Anunoby, Jakob Poeltl, and Barnes. Gary Trent Jr. is expected to be the team’s sixth man this year. Achiuwa and Chris Boucher will fill in the backup big man minutes, especially while Koloko is sidelined.

After that, the rotation remains a little murky. Malachi Flynn saw backup point guard minutes for Toronto in the preseason. Jalen McDaniels is expected to see rotation minutes and Porter might as well. The Raptors would likely to get Gradey Dick playing time, though his minutes might be limited to start the year.

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Thad Young and Garrett Temple will likely start the season out of the rotation.