How long is Scottie Barnes out for? In a positive turn of events for the Toronto Raptors, their young forward will not require surgery after suffering a fractured right orbital bone. The 23-year-old All-Star, who was injured in a recent game against the Denver Nuggets, is expected to be re-evaluated in two weeks, though the news that surgery isn’t required provides optimism on his injury timeline. It is still unclear exactly how long Barnes will be out, but his not requiring surgery is the best Scottie Barnes injury update that fans could hope for.
Toronto Raptors Injury Update: Star Forward Avoids Surgery
Scottie Barnes Injury
The injury occurred on October 28 during an overtime matchup against the Nuggets, a game the Raptors ultimately lost 127-125. Barnes collided with Nikola Jokic‘s elbow while attempting to grab his own rebound. He immediately left the game, unable to return. Despite the painful nature of the injury, Barnes was able to walk off the court on his own, though the seriousness of the situation became clear when further tests revealed a fractured orbital bone.
Scottie Barnes (orbital bone) met with doctors today. Will not require surgery. Will be re-evaluated in two weeks. IQ and the other outs remain out vs. Nuggets.
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) November 5, 2024
Following a visit to a specialist, Raptors reporters confirmed that Barnes would not need surgery. This is a huge relief for Raptors fans. The news potentially speeds up the timeline for Barnes’ return to the court, something the Raptors desperately need.
After Barnes Injury, The Raptors Struggle
Barnes has been a cornerstone of the Raptors’ lineup since his rookie season in 2021-22. The forward has been averaging 19.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, six assists, and two steals per game in the first four games of this season. His all-around contributions have made him one of the most dynamic players in the NBA. His absence is a significant blow to a team that has struggled to find consistency in the opening weeks of the season.
The Raptors have been riddled with injuries, with Barnes being one of several key players sidelined. Alongside Barnes, Toronto is also without Immanuel Quickley, who is dealing with a pelvic contusion sustained in the season opener. Quickley, along with Kelly Olynyk (back strain) and Bruce Brown (recovering from an arthroscopic procedure), have all been missing from action since the start of the season. Without these players, the Raptors’ depth has been tested, leading to a tough start to the year.
Looking Ahead
That was painfully close to going in…
Raptors lose 121-119 after getting out-executed late.
Five turnovers in the 4th, 3 in the final 3.5 mins and they fail to score in the last 90 seconds. Helluva game with lots to learn pic.twitter.com/rtdvKMD7iF
— Zulfi Sheikh (@zulfi_sheikh) November 5, 2024
With Barnes sidelined, head coach Darko Rajaković will continue to shuffle his lineups. Ochai Agbaji has stepped in to fill Barnes’ spot in the starting five. Davion Mitchell has taken over for Quickley in the backcourt.
The good news surrounding Barnes’ recovery is encouraging for the Raptors, who are in desperate need of some star power. While the exact date of his return remains uncertain, avoiding surgery offers hope that Barnes could be back sooner than initially expected, maybe even by mid-November.
In the meantime, the Raptors will need to rely on their remaining roster to weather the storm. As injuries continue to test their depth, they will aim to stay off the floor of the Eastern Conference standings.
