The Toronto Raptors have started the 2024-25 season with a 1-3 record. Toronto has made the playoffs just once since 2021 and has not won a playoff series since 2020. Though the Raptors are not likely to make any playoff noise this season, they are a contender to sneak into a Play-In spot next year. While this is still a possibility, their slow start to the season is not encouraging. Furthermore, the team will now be without their top star, Scottie Barnes, for the foreseeable future.
Via ESPN, the Raptors announced that Barnes will miss at least the next three weeks due to a right orbital fracture.
Breaking: Scottie Barnes has been diagnosed with a right orbital fracture. Barnes will be reevaluated in three weeks, and his condition will be updated as appropriate, the team announced. pic.twitter.com/86GS0dsjSK
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 30, 2024
Barnes is entering the fourth season of his NBA career. After his impressive Rookie of the Year campaign in 2021-22, the Florida native made a massive jump last season, recording career highs in every major category. Last season, his first-ever All-Star campaign, Barnes averaged 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game. Additionally, he shot 47.5% from the field and 34.1% from the three-point line.
Toronto Raptors Star to Miss Multiple Games Due to Injury
How the Raptors Will Make Up for Scottie Barnes’ Absence
In addition to Barnes, the Raptors are already dealing with a plethora of sidelining injuries. Currently, Kelly Olynyk, Immanuel Quickley, Ja’Kobe Walter, and Bruce Brown are all on the team’s injury report. When healthy, the Raptors could become a decent team this season. However, especially following Barnes’ injury, the Raptors have a tough task in front of them. Until Barnes returns to the court, the Raptors will likely rely more heavily on RJ Barrett and Chris Boucher. However, the team may also give Gradey Dick more opportunities to showcase his talents.
Through four games so far, the second-year guard is averaging 16 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. Furthermore, he is shooting 43.1% from the floor and 34.6% from beyond the arc. It is a small sample size, but it is shaping up to be a major jump for the 20-year-old in his sophomore season. With Barnes sidelined for the upcoming slate of games, he could take advantage of his increased role.
The Last Word
Losing Barnes is a major blow to the Raptors. He has established himself as the face of the franchise and has become an All-Star level player. Even if the team fails to have a successful season, Barnes’ development is still something worth watching. Hopefully for Barnes and the team, he returns to the court sooner rather than later as the Raptors aim for a postseason appearance.
For the next few weeks, the Raptors have a bit of a difficult schedule. In their next 12 games, the Raptors will face the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings twice, the Denver Nuggets, the Milwaukee Bucks, the Boston Celtics, and the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Raptors will likely have a rough go of it as they enter November.
