The injury bug appears to have bit the Toronto Raptors yet again, and once again it’s come for rookies Ja’Kobe Walter and Jonathan Mogbo.
Late in the third quarter of Wednesday’s game against the Sacramento Kings, the 19th-overall pick got caught by a hard screen from Domantas Sabonis and immediately grabbed at his right shoulder.
Walter subbed out moments later and went right to the locker room. The team later said the injury was a right AC joint contusion and that the rookie would not return as he undergoes further testing.
He put up two points and one rebound in seven minutes of action and is averaging 2.7 points and 3.3 rebounds through three games this season.
It’s the same shoulder Walter injured in training camp that led him to miss over a month. The Baylor product did not appear in the pre-season or play in the Raptors’ first five regular season games as a result.
Mogbo, meanwhile, left the game in the fourth quarter, limping to the locker room with a member of Toronto’s training staff. He was ruled out shortly after with a right hip pointer.
In 18 minutes Wednesday, Mogbo scored five points on three shots while grabbing four offensive rebounds — five total — and recording two assists.
In his debut season, the 23-year-old is averaging 6.8 points, 4,6 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.
It’s the latest in a slew of injuries for Toronto. The Raptors are already missing starters Scottie Barnes (orbital fracture) and Immanuel Quickley (pelvic contusion), with rotation players Bruce Brown (arthroscopic procedure) and Kelly Olynyk (back strain) out as well. Meanwhile, before the game on Thursday head coach Rajakovic also added that veteran Garrett Temple would miss the game due to back spasms.
After taking on the Kings, the Raptors continue a five-game road trip against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.
