The Toronto Raptors weren’t having the greatest season to start with. Nonetheless, they’ve been up the river without a paddle since All-Star forward Scottie Barnes sustained a left hand fracture while playing against the Golden State Warriors on Mar. 1.
23-50 on the season, the Raptors have gone 1-12 since that game. They’ve lost 12 straight, averaging 104.0 points per game and shooting 32.1 percent from 3. They’re also surrendering 119.5 points per game. Each number ranks 28th in the NBA.
Raptors Star Duo Returns to Practice After Extended Absence
Scottie Barnes
Barnes has returned to the court. On Friday, the third-year pro used his left hand for the first time since his surgery. He was filmed at the end of a post-practice shooting drill, knocking down a shot from just inside the three-point line.
Today is the first day that Barnes has been able to use his surgically repaired left hand, per Darko. He’s shooting with a smaller wrap on his left hand after practice. pic.twitter.com/8d9J0EQYZb
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) March 29, 2024
With nine games remaining, Barnes may hope to become eligible for league honors by meeting the 65-game threshold. He’s played 60 games this season. That said, if he was targeting the 65-game minimum, he could sit out until Apr. 7.
Averaging 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 47.5 percent from the field, Barnes is both an All-Defensive team and Most Improved Player Award candidate. Barnes has a better chance of earning an All-Defensive team selection. His 2.8 stocks per game are tied for fourth in the NBA among players that could meet the 65-game minimum for All-Defensive honors.
RJ Barrett
RJ Barrett has missed the last eight games as he grieves the loss of his younger brother, Nathan. This week, Toronto got Barrett back at practice as well. Opening up about his brother’s death, Barrett says:
“It’s a hard time, for sure. He was my best friend. I’m always missing him. I still text him. I still call him sometimes; I don’t know why. But I’m thankful for all the support from everybody and definitely from the Raptors.”
“He was the best, man,” Barrett reminisces. “I got basketball but he got everything else… Whatever he put his mind to he could do.”
The No. 3 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Barrett has been brilliant since his trade to the Raptors. In 27 games, he’s averaging 20.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, shooting 55.3 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from 3. With his best years ahead of him, the 23-year-old is signed through the 2026-27 season.
“Basketball is my sanctuary,” he says of returning to practice, “so this actually brings me peace…”
RJ Barrett on the death of his little brother: “Even while I was playing, I knew it was kinda happening…” pic.twitter.com/tMBXX2TGlm
— 𝙯𝙤 (@ogchabzo) March 29, 2024
“If I know my brother he would want me to be here, to try to continue to make the Barrett legacy grow.”
