26Breakdown
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12. Januar 2026
Another absence coming
Poeltl (back) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the 76ers.
Analyse
Poeltl was cleared for contact back on Jan. 5 and is trending in the right direction, but the Raptors haven't determined a target date for his return. For what it's worth, head coach Darko Rajakovic said Sunday that Poeltl is without a definitive target date for a return, though that's not necessarily an indication that the veteran center has suffered a setback, per Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca. With Poeltl out for another game, Collin Murray-Boyles and Sandro Mamukelashvili will absorb most of the available minutes at center.
10. Januar 2026
Absence streak to continue
Poeltl (back) is out for Sunday's game against the 76ers, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.
Analyse
Poeltl is trending in the right direction but is still not ready to return. This means Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Murray-Boyles will continue to handle the minutes at center against Joel Embiid (knee) and the 76ers. Poeltl's next chance to return will come against Philadelphia on Monday in the second leg of a back-to-back set.
8. Januar 2026
Won't play Friday
Poeltl (back) will not play Friday against the Celtics.
Analyse
Poeltl was scheduled to practice Thursday, but the center is not quite ready to return. His next chance to play comes Sunday against the 76ers. Collin Murray-Boyles and Sandro Mamukelashvili are likely to see increased roles in the meantime.
8. Januar 2026
Set to practice Thursday
Poeltl (back) is scheduled to participate in Thursday's practice, Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analyse
After he was recently cleared to resume taking contact, Poeltl will take another important step forward in his recovery from a lower-back strain by taking part in drills with his healthy teammates. Even if Poeltl checks out fine following Thursday's workout, he may not be cleared to play Friday in Boston, but it's apparent nonetheless that the veteran center is close to a return. Grange notes that the Raptors don't plan on re-signing recently waived big man Mo Bamba to a 10-day deal with the expectation that Poeltl will be back in the fold soon.
6. Januar 2026
Won't play Wednesday
Poeltl (back) will not play Wednesday against the Hornets, Vivek Jacob of the Raptors' official site reports.
Analyse
Poeltl will miss his eighth game in a row Wednesday. The center is getting closer to a return, however, as he was cleared for contact work on Jan. 5. His next chance to play comes Friday against Boston.