MILWAUKEE—The Toronto Raptors are getting closer to being whole again.

The team is expected to announce Saturday that injured forward DeMarre Carroll has been upgraded to “probable” from “out” and is much closer to returning to the lineup.

There is no definite timeline on Carroll’s return but he took part in Toronto’s practice here Christmas night. How he comes through that work — his first on-court time with his teammates — will determine when he will return to action.

Carroll has missed nine games with a right knee bruise after missing three earlier in the season with a sore foot and, while the Raptors are 6-3 in those games, his absence has caused a trickle-down effect that has taxed the team’s roster.

As well, Jonas Valanciunas went through Friday’s workout as he recovers from a broken bone in his hand. As with Carroll, how the 7-foot centre reacts to the practice will determine when he can get back to game action but his return would seem more imminent.

The Raptors could use each starter, if only to restore some normalcy to the rotation.

Bismack Biyombo has filled in admirably as a starter replacing Valanciunas but there’s a big drop-off behind him. James Johnson, who worked Friday on the sprained ankle that kept him out of a Tuesday game, and Terrence Ross have split starting time in Carroll’s absence. A return to to the roles they’ve had most of the season would restore the team’s depth.

If neither Valanciunas nor Carroll are ready to go here Saturday, they could return Monday in Chicago or Wednesday at home against Washington.

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