Christian Koloko has Fractured Nose, Questionable for Raptors

Toronto Raptors rookie center Christian Koloko has a fractured nose and is questionable to play Saturday against the Minnesota Timberwolves

All Raptors Staff | Mar 17, 2023

Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

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Toronto Raptors

Christian Koloko is going to be a masked man for the next little while.

The Toronto Raptors rookie center fractured his nose Thursday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder and is now questionable to play Saturday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team announced. When he does return to the court, he'll likely be dawning a facial mask to protect his nose, Raptors coach Nick Nurse told reporters Friday.

Koloko had just worked his way back into the rotation Thursday night, sliding into the center with Precious Achiuwa struggling to get playing time. He finished Thursday with a block and three rebounds in 12 minutes and was a plus-6 in limited playing time.

Toronto's defense has been 10.1 points per 100 possessions stingier with Koloko on the court this season, per Cleaning the Glass. That's the second biggest impact on the team trailing only fellow center Jakob Poeltl at 19.0.

Koloko will likely remain in Toronto's rotation when he does return as the team's backup center. The Raptors will have to figure out how to navigate Koloko, Chris Boucher, Will Barton, and the eventual return of Achiuwa to the rotation at some point down the road.

Otto Porter Jr. and Dalano Banton will remain out for the Raptors on Saturday.

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