Report: Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam to practice Friday, 'hopes to return next week'

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Beautiful news for the severely injured Toronto Raptors.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski confirmed a report that Toronto Sun's Ryan Wolstat had just days prior that star forward Pascal Siakam is expected to practice Friday, Jan. 10, with hopes of returning to the lineup next week.


Siakam has missed the Raptors' last 11 games after suffering a groin injury on Dec. 18. Despite the injury to Siakam and a number of other key rotation players like Marc Gasol (hamstring), Norman Powell (shoulder) and Fred VanVleet (hamstring), Toronto has stayed afloat with a 6-5 record in that time span.

The Raptors were 19-8, standing in at third place in the East after the win over the Detroit Pistons on Dec. 18 where they lost Siakam, Powell and Gasol. They have since slid to 25-13, moving down just one spot to fourth place in the conference.

Siakam was enjoying another breakout season prior to the injury, averaging 25.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game – all of which are career-highs.

His return is encouraging for the injury-riddled team, and according to TSN's Josh Lewenberg, Powell and Gasol aren't too far behind the Reigning Most Improved Player of the Year.

The Raptors travel to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Jan. 15, host the Washington Wizards on Jan. 17 and then hit the road on a back-to-back against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Jan. 18, to give you an idea of potential games Siakam may return for.

 

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Kyle Irving is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News.