Raptors Notes: Injuries, Agbaji, and Martin's Rise
By Arthur Hill | January 10, 2026
The Raptors faced a challenging game against the Celtics, with several key players sidelined. Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes were both injured, joining Jakob Poeltl on the sidelines, while RJ Barrett had to leave the game after rolling his ankle in the fourth quarter. This left the team with limited options, and two players who had been primarily in the G League stepped up: Jonathan Mogbo and Alijah Martin.
Martin, the 39th pick in last year's draft, had only played a total of seven minutes in three NBA games before Friday's game. His task was to defend Jaylen Brown, Boston's MVP candidate, who scored 25 points. Despite the challenge, Martin held his own, contributing seven points, three assists, and a blocked shot. He described the experience as intense, highlighting the difficulty of guarding a strong and fast player like Brown.
Ingram, who had been playing consistently after a high ankle sprain limited him to 18 games last season, missed his first game of the season due to a right thumb sprain. He expressed relief to be back on the court regularly, emphasizing the joy of playing consecutive games. He participated in the shootaround and is hopeful to return for the upcoming game against Philadelphia.
Ochai Agbaji, a fourth-year shooting guard, did not play despite the team's shortage of players. His playing time has been reduced recently, and with an expiring contract of $6.4MM, he is considered a potential trade candidate as the Raptors aim to stay under the luxury tax threshold.
Barrett's ankle injury was confirmed as negative through X-rays, but he and Poeltl have been ruled out for the next game. Ingram and Barnes are listed as questionable. The Raptors' injury struggles continue, but players like Martin and Mogbo are stepping up, showcasing the team's resilience and depth.
