Gary Trent Jr. won’t return for Raptors vs. Pelicans…
Gary Trent Jr. has been sidelined for the Toronto Raptors in their game against the New Orleans Pelicans due to unexpected lower back tightness. The guard left the Monday game at halftime, and the team officially ruled him out. This setback came after Trent played nearly 40 minutes in the previous game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, showcasing no prior signs of the back issue. The team decided to replace him with Thad Young alongside Bruce Brown for the second half, as RJ Barrett was already out with a knee injury.
The severity of Trent’s lower back problem remains uncertain, raising concerns, especially with the looming trade deadline just three days away. The Raptors might contemplate trading Trent, considering his expiring contract and impending unrestricted free agency this summer. Despite a lackluster season for Trent, averaging 12.1 points per game on 43% shooting, his 42.6% accuracy from beyond the arc has been a significant asset for the team.
In the Monday night game against the Pelicans, Trent struggled, going 0-for-2 from three-point range and scoring only two points before exiting. This interruption comes after an impressive 15-game stretch where he maintained a 50% three-point shooting record since the beginning of January. Jontay Porter was also ruled out due to back spasms, adding to the team’s injury concerns. The return timeline for Porter and the severity of Trent’s injury remain unclear. However, there is optimism about RJ Barrett returning for the Raptors when they face the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.
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