Raptors Hopeful Gary Trent Jr. Will Return Shortly But Injury Situation is a 'Tough One'

The Toronto Raptors are hopeful Gary Trent Jr. will be back soon but the 24-year-old guard remains questionable to play the Philadelphia 76ers

John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Gary Trent Jr. remains questionable for now.

It's a little unclear when the Toronto Raptors will get their sixth man back in the lineup as Trent continues to battle through soreness in his right arm. It's possible he plays on Friday against the Philadelphia 76ers with an extra day off but it isn't looking too promising.

The strange part of the whole equation is Trent has been able to shoot around in practice and he's been getting in some "good workouts," as Raptors coach Nick Nurse put it, but it's not quite right and he remains with a little soreness, Nurse said.

"That’s a tough one," Nurse said of the situation. "We’ve been through that a little bit this year. O.G. had the bad right wrist. Even though it was cleared to play, it doesn’t feel like it’s coming off your hand very good for stretches for a while. I still expect him back fairly shortly.”

Typically it's taken Trent a few games to get back into a groove when he's returned from injury in the past, but with just six games to go in the season, Toronto can't afford to have an extended ramp-up for the 24-year-old. 

If Trent can't play, expect Jeff Dowtin Jr. to once again see extended minutes off the bench as Toronto's backup point guard.

Further Reading

Pascal Siakam shares his thoughts on Kyle Lowry: 'He's my beloved'

Scottie Barnes & Pascal Siakam show future is bright for Raptors in victory over Heat

Raptors discuss value of the play-in tournament for Toronto & the NBA