Team Deron Williams's Bones Hyland (center) of the Denver Nuggets shoots against Team Pau Gasol's Scottie Barnes (4), of the Toronto Raptors, and Jose Alvarado (15) of the New Orleans Pelicans, during an NBA Rising Stars semifinal basketball game against Team Jason Terry, on Feb 17, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (PHOTO / AP)

TORONTO - The Toronto Raptors big man Jakob Poeltl scored 21 points and pulled down a career-best 18 rebounds in the team's 115-110 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in Thursday night's NBA game.

The 27-year-old Austrian native had an efficient night, shooting 9-for-11 from the field in over 30 minutes of action. Of his 18 rebounds, seven were on the offensive end, as he surpassed his previous best of 17 recorded last April when he was a member of the San Antonio Spurs.

"He was humongous at getting us extra possessions. He was protecting the rim; he did so many good things that I didn't even look at his numbers," said Raptors head coach Nick Nurse after the win. "18, that's a good number."

Since his return, Jakob Poeltl has made an instant impact averaging 19.0 points on a scorching 83 percent (29-for-35) from the field, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game

This was just the third game since Poeltl was reacquired by the Raptors, the team that initially selected him ninth overall in the 2016 draft.

ALSO READ: NBA: Clippers down Suns to rise to fourth in Western Conference

Since his return, Poeltl has made an instant impact averaging 19.0 points on a scorching 83 percent (29-for-35) from the field, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game.

In the win against the Pelicans, all five starters scored in double-digits for the Raptors, including All-Star Pascal Siakam, who finished with a team-high 26 points, his fifth straight game of 25 or more points.

Toronto improves to 29-31 on the season and has won six of their last seven games.

With 22 games remaining in the season, the Raptors will need to at least replicate their run from last season, where they secured a 15-7 run to finish fifth with a 48-34 record.

READ MORE: NBA: VanVleet's 35 lifts Raptors over Pistons

Elsewhere, the Boston Celtics edged the Indiana Pacers 142-138 in overtime, the Denver Nuggets held off the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-109, and the Philadelphia 76ers rallied to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 110-105.