RJ Barrett's growing influence extends beyond the court, revealing deeper layers in his basketball journey with the Raptors and beyond.

The Toronto Raptors will be without three players, including two key rotational pieces, in their high-voltage regular-season showdown against the LA Lakers on Thursday.

Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes turned serious when he talked about the absence of RJ Barrett due to knee injury.

As a centre, Jakob Poeltl isn't usually expected to pick up the slack when a wing is hurt. But with Canadian swingman RJ Barrett still out for the Toronto Raptors, Poeltl is finding his role expanding.

One thing has become increasingly clear as the Raptors forge on without RJ Barrett: if they want to compete this year, they can't do it without him.