Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes is set to miss multiple weeks of action after spraining his right ankle in a game against the New York Knicks. The injury occurred as he tried to defend Karl-Anthony Towns in the paint, leading Barnes to be in immediate distress and wearing a walking boot following the game. This adds to a string of injuries for the Raptors, with Barnes already having missed time earlier in the season due to a broken orbital bone.
Barnes’ absence could impact his chances of being included on an All-NBA team, as he is close to falling below the 65-game threshold required for consideration. Despite signing a lucrative rookie extension in the offseason, Barnes will need to return to the court soon to meet the criteria for a higher salary.
The Raptors have been dealing with injuries to several key players, including Immanuel Quickley and Bruce Brown, who are both sidelined with separate injuries. Quickley, in particular, is still undergoing tests to assess his progress after suffering a partial tear to his ulnar collateral ligament in mid-November. The team is hopeful that Quickley will be able to return to the lineup soon.
In the meantime, reserve center Kelly Olynyk made his season debut recently after recovering from a back injury. The Raptors will need to rely on their depth and resilience as they navigate through a challenging stretch of injuries and aim to remain competitive in a competitive Eastern Conference.
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