The Toronto Raptors enter their first game after the All-Star break shorthanded. According to a new report, Toronto will face the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday without no less than five players missing from their roster, including star forward Pascal Siakam.

This report comes via NBA insider Tim Bontemps of ESPN:

Aside from Pascal Siakam, the Raptors will also be without Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby, which means that they will face the Hawks with three of their starters unavailable. As stated in the tweet above, the aforementioned players have yet to clear the league's health and safety protocols and will be forced to sit out Thursday's tilt against Atlanta.

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With so many missing bodies, Kyle Lowry will once again be tasked with much of the load on both ends of the floor. The veteran has been rumored to be a trade candidate, but right now, Toronto will need for him to be at his very best.

Toronto's next game is slated for Saturday when they take on the Charlotte Hornets. It is unclear if the Raptors will be getting any of their guys back for that one. It is worth noting that Saturday's game in Charlotte marks the first of a three-game road spell for Toronto.

The Raptors entered the break on a two-game losing skid. They performed below expectations in the first half of the campaign,  and they are currently sitting on a 17-19 record. They are still holding on to the eighth spot in the East, but with how tight things are in the conference right now, a string of losses could easily oust them out of the playoff picture.