Bruce Brown set for Raptors' season debut vs. Hawks

Toronto Raptors forward Bruce Brown is available to make his season debut Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks, the team announced.

Brown missed the first 31 games of the 2024-25 after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in September.

Toronto will also get back veteran center Jakob Poeltl, who missed the last four games with a bilateral groin strain. Rookie guard Jamal Shead is also returning from a two-game absence due to a knee contusion.

Brown averaged 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 34 games (11 starts) with the Raptors following a January trade from the Indiana Pacers last season.

The 28-year-old told reporters in November that his performance in his debut Raptors season had been impacted by injury. He also rebuffed criticism from fans suggesting that he didn't want to play in Toronto.

"Last year, I didn't look really engaged or not a lot of energy like I (had) on previous teams," he said, days after he'd been cleared for his first practice. "It's just because I was playing on one leg."

The Raptors are 7-24 and in the midst of a nine-game losing streak. They're also just one game clear of the Washington Wizards for last place in the Eastern Conference.