The Toronto Raptors haven’t had much luck with injuries in the past two seasons.
However, the most recent update on Scottie Barnes’s sprained right ankle is as fortunate as it could be. While initially ruled out for multiple weeks, he’s “been cleared for contact and was a full participant in practice (Wednesday), per Toronto Sun reporter Josh Lewenberg. The 23-year-old may even have his status upgraded from out to questionable (bypassing doubtful) for Thursday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets.
Injury-Plagued Raptors Playmaker Scottie Barnes Nearing His Return
“I’m so happy that (the injury) wasn’t as serious as I thought it was going to be,” the All-Star says.
Barnes has been cleared for contact and was a full participant in practice today. He’ll be back soon, if not tomorrow. He said the ankle is feeling solid after the initial scare last week. “I’m so happy that it wasn’t as serious as I thought it was going to be.” https://t.co/FXc0BcccVN
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) December 18, 2024
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Barnes has played in just 14 of the team’s 27 games this season. This is primarily due to a fractured orbital bone that he sustained in October, which caused him to miss 11 games. Since then, he’s been wearing a pair of gnarly red goggles that are almost as vibrant as his personality.
Barnes’s most recent injury likely won’t lead to him changing his sportswear, as he’s already wearing a brace. Nonetheless, he (and the Raptors) could still take extra precautions to ensure he makes it through 2024-25 healthy. To that point, after missing just 15 games in his first two seasons (playoffs included), Barnes has been sidelined for 35 games and counting the last seasons.
Tank Or Fight?
With a 7-20 record, Toronto may be bound for the lottery. Not only has Barnes missed about half of the season, projected starter Immanuel Quickley has been out for all but three games due to an elbow injury. This has led to RJ Barrett having to be the team’s first and second option on multiple occasions.
To his credit, Barrett has performed admirably. He’s slashing and cashing, averaging 23.5 points and 6.1 assists per game on 45.5 percent shooting from the field. However, he doesn’t have enough help without Barnes and Quickley, even with 2023 No. 13 pick Gradey Dick taking his play up a notch. If the Raptors want to turn their season around, they’ll need at least two-thirds of their Big 3 healthy.
To be honest, there’s no guarantee that Toronto wants to fight for a playoff spot. They’re still capable of clinching a postseason berth, especially with the advent of the Play-In Tournament. Yet, the top prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft class look stronger than last year’s crop. The Raptors’ need to add outside shooting could put several of those players in their crosshairs.
That being said, head coach Darko Rajakovic has instilled a tough-minded attitude in his team. Similar to the most popular rapper to come out of Canada, Toronto doesn’t back down from stiff competition. Though the odds are stacked against them, they’re unlikely to throw in the towel.
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