The Toronto Raptors extended their winning streak to two last night with a dominant win over the defending champion Boston Celtics. Unfortunately, the Raptors didn’t walk away with the win unscathed. In an all too often occurrence this season, a Raptor had to exit the game early due to an injury. This time, Ochai Agbaji had to return to the locker room after injuring his hand.
Ochai Agbaji got 3 stitches on his right hand; he’s done for the night.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) January 16, 2025
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Toronto Suffers Another Injury To Key Player Ochai Agbaji
Early Exit
During the second quarter, while out in transition, Agbaji missed a pass. While trying to steady himself, Agbaji put his right hand down on the court. Quickly after this, while getting back on defense, Agbaji grabbed his hand and was seen bleeding on the court. After a timeout was called, Agbaji returned to the locker room and did not return to the game. After the game, Agbaji told reporters he got three stitches on his right hand after reopening an existing cut. Agbaji played just 12:18 minutes, dropping five points with four rebounds and one assist.
Another Raptors Injury
Agbaji has been the Raptors’ healthiest player this season, appearing in the first 39 games the most on the team. However, he’s had a tough stretch recently. After an inadvertent collision with Josh Hart, Agbaji missed his first two games of the season with a hip injury. Last night’s game against Boston was only his second game back from his previous injury. The Raptors have yet to put a timeline out for his current injury, but hopefully, Agbaji isn’t out too long.
Ochai Agbaji’s Breakout Season
Hopefully, the injury will not be too severe for either Agbaji or Toronto’s sake, as Agbaji is in the middle of a breakout season. The fourth-year wing is putting up career numbers across the board, averaging 10.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 50.8% overall and 40.3% from deep. Agbaji has been a key part of the Raptors defense this season, often guarding the opposing team’s best wing. With his offense development, Agbaji has become a great 3&D role player and part of the Raptors’ long-term plans.
Who’s The Raptors Next Man Up?
Toronto has been no stranger to injuries this season, with Raptors players missing a combined 144 games already. The team has had to adopt a next-man-up mentality with the constant injuries. With Agbaji probably absent for at least the next game, Toronto can look to Ja’Kobe Walter, Jamison Battle, and maybe Jonathan Mogbo to fill his minutes.
Battle got some run last night after spending the previous few games with the 905 Raptors. Like Agbaji, Battle is a sharpshooter, averaging 42.3% from deep. While he isn’t the same defender, the Raptors need the spacing. Walter can also help the Raptors with spacing woes in Agbaji’s absence, at least on paper. The rookie hasn’t been the most consistent shooter from deep this season, but the talent and ability are there. Walter has been out of the Raptors lineup over the last couple of games, and this might be a good time to try to get him back into a rhythm. Mogbo has spent most of his time recently with the 905 Raptors, not playing in any of Toronto’s last five games. However, with the hole in the Raptors’ defense left by Agbaji, Mogbo could help fill it until he gets back.
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