It's official: this year's Raptors squad is now without any iron men. The last healthy roster member standing suffered an untimely injury on January 8 against the New York Knicks, marking a definitive end to his impressive streak.
Raptors wing Ochai Agbaji played just over eight minutes, during which he scored four points on 2-for-2 shooting and recorded one steal. Agbaji appeared poised to deliver a stellar performance, showcasing his defensive tenacity right from the moment he stepped onto the court, locking on to his opponent like glue.
However, he fell to the ground shortly after going up for a rebound, clutching his side as he struggled to get up.
Toronto called a timeout to take Agbaji off the court, and he was subsequently escorted to the locker room for further evaluation. During the broadcast, it was announced that Agbaji had suffered a lower back contusion and would be ruled out for the remainder of the showdown against the Knicks.
Raptors lose their resident iron man Ochai Agbaji to hip injury
As the Raptors gear up to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers in their second consecutive road game on January 9, they will be without their leader in total minutes played for the season.
The team has now classified Agbaji's injury as a left hip pointer. As of this writing, the Raptors have not provided an exact timetable for his return, indicating instead that he is day-to-day.
Losing the final healthy puzzle piece from a roster beleaguered by injuries must be particularly painful for the Toronto Raptors, serving as the ultimate blow to an already challenging year.
The hope is that Agbaji's setback won’t thwart his breakout season—a remarkable turnaround from last year's struggles in Toronto, where he teetered on the edge of being phased out. This season marks a rebirth for Agbaji, establishing him as a vital and productive presence on the Raptors' wing.