Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Another double-digit scoring tally
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Walter produced 10 points (4-10 FG, 2-5 3Pt), three rebounds and one steal over 25 minutes during Sunday's 94-87 loss to the Rockets.
Walter extended a streak of double-digit scoring efforts to six games. During this stretch, the rookie first-rounder has averaged 12.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.8 threes in 24.2 minutes while shooting 40.7 percent from three-point land. With Gradey Dick leaving early with a neck contusion Sunday, Walter could be set for an amplified role for Tuesday's contest against the 76ers.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Returning to bench Friday
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Walter is not in the Raptors' starting lineup against the Thunder on Friday, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Walter has started in the Raptors' last two games due to the absence of RJ Barrett (concussion), with the former averaging 13.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.0 steals over 28.5 minutes per game over that span. Ochai Agbaji will start for the Raptors on Friday, which means Walter will retreat to a reserve role.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Starting sans Barrett
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Walter will start in Tuesday's game against the Knicks, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
The rookie will get the starting nod with RJ Barrett (concussion) on the shelf. Walter hasn't entered the starting five since Dec. 31, and over his last 10 outings, he has averaged 7.0 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 16.8 minutes per game off the bench.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Makes impact off bench
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Walter totaled 14 points (3-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 7-8 FT), four rebounds, two assists and one steal over 18 minutes during Friday's 122-106 loss to the Bulls.
The rookie has played double-digit minutes in back-to-back games for the first time since Jan. 8 and 9. His 14 points were the first time he scored in double figures since New Year's Day. Walter's role and performances have been inconsistent, but with the trade deadline approaching, the 15-33 Raptors could move some veterans and open up time down the stretch for young players. The Baylor product has struggled with his efficiency -- he's shooting 38.7 percent from the field, 28.6 percent from three and 69.6 percent from the free-throw line -- but has shown flashes as more than just a shooter. For his 6-foot-4 frame, he's a good offensive rebounder (1.4 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes) and gets to the free-throw line at a relatively high rate, given his overall shot profile (3.1 free-throw attempts per 36 minutes).
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Rejoins parent club
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Toronto recalled Walter from the G League's Raptors 905 on Sunday.
Minutes have been hard to come by for Walter at the NBA level lately, so the rookie first-round pick could be headed back in the G League in the near future to see extended playing time.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Scores eight points in limited run
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Walter ended Monday's 128-104 loss to Milwaukee with eight points (3-5 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 0-1 FT), two rebounds and one assist over 11 minutes.
Walter led the Raptors' bench in scoring during his limited run Monday. The rookie received increased playing time during the early part of the season with Immanuel Quickley and Bruce Brown sidelined, though Walter has yet to surpass the 20-minute mark since Quickley's return last Wednesday. Walter will likely continue to receive reduced playing time off the bench, but he could be in store for an increased role if any injuries arise in the backcourt.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Dealing with sprained finger
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Walter is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Nets with a finger sprain on his left hand, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.
Walter joins Immanuel Quickley (elbow), Gradey Dick (hamstring) and RJ Barrett (illness) as one of four Raptors listed questionable for the second half of a back-to-back set. The rookie played 22 minutes and finished with three points (1-10 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds, two assists and one block in Tuesday's 125-71 loss to the Celtics, but if Walter is available Wednesday, he could be in line for a reduction in playing time in the event two or three of Quickley, Dick and Barrett also get the green light to play.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Available Sunday
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Walter (illness) is available for Sunday's game against Atlanta, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Walter will suit up after missing Thursday's loss to Memphis due to the illness. Over his last five appearances, the rookie has averaged 13.0 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists across 25.4 minutes per contest.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Won't play Thursday
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Walter (illness) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against Memphis, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Walter will be held out of his first matchup since Nov. 25 due to the illness, and his next chance to feature will come Sunday against Atlanta. With the rookie sidelined, Jonathan Mogbo and Jamison Battle could see an uptick in playing time.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Retreats to bench Monday
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Walter will come off the bench in Monday's game against the Knicks.
With veteran RJ Barrett slotting back into the starting five, Walter will retreat to the bench following two consecutive starts. The rookie was stellar in Sunday's loss to the Rockets, during which he posted a career-high 27 points (9-18 FG, 6-11 3Pt, 3-4 FT), three assists and two rebounds across 28 minutes. Over his last five outings (two starts), Walter has averaged 13.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.8 minutes per contest.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Pops for career-high 27
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Walter fouled out of Sunday's 114-110 loss to the Rockets after recording a career-high 27 points (9-18 FG, 6-11 3Pt, 3-4 FT), two rebounds and three assists over 28 minutes.
The rookie might have pushed for 30 if he hadn't left the court for good with 2:40 left in the fourth quarter. Walter had never even reached 20 before Sunday, and the six made threes doubled his prior career high, so it would be easy to dismiss the performance as a fluke. The 19th overall pick in the 2024 Draft has been finding a groove with his shot, however. Over the last five games (two starts), Walter is shooting 44.4 percent (12-for-27) from the beyond the arc while averaging 13.6 points, 2.4 boards, 2.4 threes, 2.0 assists and 0.6 steals in 24.8 minutes a contest.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Won't start Thursday
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Walter will come off the bench in Thursday's game against the Thunder, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.
With Gradey Dick (calf) back in action, Walter will come off the bench Thursday night after appearing in the Raptors 905's 134-92 G League win over the Greensboro Swarm earlier in the day, during which he chipped in seven points (3-4 FG, 1-1 3Pt), four assists and two rebounds across 13 minutes. The rookie started in the parent club's last four outings following a nine-game absence due to an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder, during which he averaged 8.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals across 22.0 minutes per contest.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Practices, but still questionable
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Walter practiced with the G League's Raptors 905 and remains questionable for Toronto's game Thursday against the Timberwolves, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Walter was briefly assigned to the G League earlier Thursday to get in some practice time, but Toronto hasn't ruled him out from being available against Minnesota, with the game tipping off at 7:30 p.m. ET. The rookie first-round pick has missed the Raptors' last six games with an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Remains out indefinitely
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Walter (shoulder) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Pacers and remains sidelined indefinitely, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Walter doesn't have a return timetable while he works his way back from a shoulder injury. Walter worked his way into Toronto's rotation in early November due to the Raptors' myriad of absences, but when everyone is healthy, the rookie will have an uphill battle to see minutes consistently.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Still out Saturday
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Walter (shoulder) won't play in Saturday's game versus the Celtics, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Walter's absence streak will extend to five games Saturday due to a shoulder injury. His next chance to suit up is Monday's matchup with Indiana.
Walter (shoulder) won't play in Friday's game versus the Pistons, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Walter is set to miss his fourth straight contest due to a sprained AC in his right shoulder. While Walter is due for a re-evaluation in the coming days, his next chance to suit up is Saturday's matchup with Boston.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Out at least one week
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The Raptors announced Friday that Walter (shoulder) re-injured his right AC joint and will be re-evaluated in one week, Aaron Rose of SI.com reports.
Walter missed time earlier this season with a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder and re-aggravated the injury during Wednesday's game against Sacramento. With Walter sidelined for at least a week, Jamison Battle and Jonathan Mogbo (hip) are candidates to receive increased playing time.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Won't return Wednesday
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Walter has been ruled out for the remainder of Wednesday's game against the Kings due to a right shoulder joint contusion, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Walter missed the first five games of the 2024-25 season due to a AC joint sprain in the same shoulder, and he was almost immediately ruled out after exiting Wednesday's game. He got caught on a screen by Domantas Sabonis. He finishes the contest with two points (1-3 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and one rebound across eight minutes. Walter's next chance to play will come Saturday against the Clippers, the first leg of a back-to-back set. Jamison Battle and Jonathan Mogbo could see more action if Walter is idle.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Good to go against Lakers
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Walter (shoulder) is available for Friday's game versus the Lakers, Aaron Rose of SI.com reports.
Walter has been upgraded from questionable to available to make his NBA debut Friday. With Immanuel Quickley (pelvis) out, Walter could receive depth minutes in Toronto's backcourt.
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Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter: Out at least another week
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Coach Darko Rajakovic said Monday that Walter (shoulder) is a week to 10 days away from being cleared for full-contact portions of practice, Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Walter participated in some parts of Monday's practice but still has multiple hurdles to clear before returning to game action. The rookie missed the entire preseason schedule due to the shoulder injury, so even when he's cleared to suit up, Walter likely won't factor into Toronto's early-season rotation.