Raptors Add 3 Huge Pieces To the Lineup

After having up to 11 players in health and safety protocols, the Toronto Raptors are slowly getting back to a semblance of the team that started the season. Thursday, they got three HUGE additions back to the practice floor, in Fred VanVleet, Scottie Barnes and OG Anunoby.

Fred VanVleet, Scottie Barnes and OG Anunoby have all cleared health & protocols and were at practice today
— Kayla Grey (@Kayla_Grey) December 30, 2021

All three have cleared COVID protocols, and were at practice with the rest of the team on Thursday. After having had all 7 of their top players out of the lineup the past couple of weeks, this was a welcome sight for coach Nick Nurse.

In addition, big men Precious Achiuwa and Khem Birch, who both cleared health and safety protocols earlier in the week, and now back in full practice mode as well. Nurse expects to have pretty much his full regular rotation back for Friday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

The addition of VanVleet (20.1) and Anunoby (19.3) alone adds nearly 40 points to the team, while the return of Rookie of the Year frontrunner Barnes brings his all-around defense, scoring and playmaking skills and thrills back to the team as well.

VanVleet should be in fine form, as this report shows that he's been working on some drills at home with Fred Jr.: