Dyson Daniels has filled in, while Kristaps Porzingis, Zaccharie Risacher, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu have helped the Hawks win three of their past four games heading into Friday’s tip.
Much like the Raptors, who lost to Milwaukee in their home opener, the Hawks will be looking to exact some revenge.
The game marks the first of five road tips for the Raptors, who have gone 2-2 on the road and 2-2 at home this season.
Following the Hawks game, the Raptors will play the Philadelphia 76ers in Toronto’s second back-to-back road set of the season. In its first, Toronto lost in Dallas and in San Antonio.
The 76ers are expected to have Joel Embiid in the lineup.
The oft-injured big man sat out Wednesday’s loss in Cleveland after Embiid played the night earlier in a loss to the host Chicago Bulls.
Embiid’s left knee issue has prompted the Sixers to keep their big man from playing on back-to-back nights, at least early in the season.
Having seen first-overall pick Cooper Flagg in action when the Raptors were in Dallas, they’re expected to get their first look at the NBA’s third-overall pick VJ Edgecombe on Saturday night.
Toronto went up against Dylan Harper in San Antonio, but the second-overall selection is hurt.
Collin Murray-Boyles, Toronto’s first-round pick (ninth overall), has shown encouraging signs following a tough debut against the Mavs. CMB bounced back from his aborted start by scoring 19 points against the Spurs.
With Poeltl unavailable, the rookie has started three games, posting his best overall game when he scored 15 points and hauled down nine rebounds while recording five assists and three steals in Sunday night’s win over the Grizzlies.
When the Raptors’ five-game road swing ends, their first home game will be Nov. 17 against the Charlotte Hornets, a team that features three rookies in their starting lineup that includes seven-footer Ryan Kalkbrenner and sharp-shooter Kon Knueppel.
Prior to hooking up against the inexperienced Hornets, the Raptors’ trip will take them to Brooklyn to play the Nets, Cleveland and then Indiana in the finale.
The Nets entered Thursday’s action with one win. The Cavs are back to full strength, while the reigning Eastern Conference champion Pacers remain without Tyrese Haliburton after he underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn Achilles.
Indy does feature former Raptor Pascal Siakam and a handful of Canadians.
When looking at the coming five-game trip, it’s easy to envision the Raptors returning home with a 3-2 record — if competent defence is played.
If defence is compromised, a one-win trip is very much possible while an 0-for-5 trip would sound the alarm bells.