Gary Trent Jr. Won't Return for Raptors vs Pelicans

Toronto Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. has been ruled out with a back injury during Monday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans

Gary Trent Jr. is suddenly dealing with lower back tightness.

The Toronto Raptors guard left Monday’s game at halftime with the injury and was ruled out, the team announced.

Trent played nearly 15 minutes against the New Orleans Pelicans after playing nearly 40 minutes on Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The injury is not something he’d been dealing with prior to the game.

Toronto opted to use Thad Young to start the second half in Trent’s place alongside Bruce Brown who’d been given the start with RJ Barrett tending to a knee injury.

It’s unclear how serious Trent’s injury is. It’s somewhat concerning considering the trade deadline is now just three days away. Trent is certainly a player the Raptors could consider trading considering he’s on an expiring contract and will be heading into unrestricted free agency this summer.

Trent was 0-for-2 from three-point range Monday night and had scored just two points before exiting. Prior to Monday, he’d been on an impressive 15-game stretch in which he was shooting 50% from three-point range dating back to the beginning of January.

Overall, though, it’s been a disappointing season for the 25-year-old Trent who is averaging just 12.1 points per game on 43% shooting. Only his 42.6% three-point stroke has been a huge difference for the Raptors this season.

Jontay Porter had been ruled out Monday with back spasms as well. It’s unclear when he’ll return for Toronto.

Barrett should be able to return for the Raptors on Wednesday night when Toronto takes on the Charlotte Hornets