Raptors' Scottie Barnes: Expects to have healthy offseason
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Barnes said Monday during his exit interview that he wanted to play at the end of the regular season, but there was still swelling in his surgically-repaired left hand, so the medical staff held him out for precautionary reasons, Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun reports.
Barnes added that he doesn't expect to be limited during the offseason, so he appears firmly on track to lead the Raptors in 2024-25. The 2021 No. 4 overall pick was in the midst of a breakout campaign before breaking his left hand in early March. Across 60 appearances, Barnes averaged 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.5 blocks, 1.3 steals and 1.7 threes per game -- all career highs. He's eligible for a rookie scale contract extension this fall.
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Raptors' Scottie Barnes: Will miss season finale Sunday
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Barnes (hand) is out for Sunday's game against the Heat, Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun reports.
Barnes was having an All-Star caliber season, but a left hand fracture ended his season March 1, and the Raptors employed a cautious approach with their star forward, especially once they were eliminated from playoff contention. Barnes ends the 2023-24 season with averages of 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 steals across 34.9 minutes per game in 60 starts.
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Raptors' Scottie Barnes: Still limited to shooting drills
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Barnes was spotted getting shots up with a brace on his surgically repaired left hand during Monday's practice, Aaron Rose of SI.com reports.
Barnes underwent surgery to repair a fracture to the third metacarpal bone on his left hand in early March and has been able to do light on-court work over the last few weeks. However, he still isn't cleared for contact drills and likely won't play again this season, as Toronto has just four games remaining and is well out of the playoff picture. Barnes was catching the ball with his left hand in Rose's video, but the versatile point guard was doing only stationary shooting, suggesting he still has multiple hurdles to clear before getting the green light for game action.
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Raptors' Scottie Barnes: Not yet cleared for contact
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Head coach Darko Rajakovic said Tuesday that Barnes (hand) has been doing some light on-court work but still hasn't been cleared for contact, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.
According to Lewenberg, Barnes' on-court work hasn't involved him using his surgically repaired left hand, so he doesn't appear to be particularly close to making a return to game action. The Raptors haven't yet ruled Barnes out for the season, but with the team sitting at 23-49 and well out of the playoff picture, the team has little incentive to rush him back if he's not 100 percent healed from surgery.
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Raptors' Scottie Barnes: Undergoes successful surgery
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Barnes underwent surgery Monday to repair a fracture to the third metacarpal bone on his left hand, Eric Smith of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports.
Barnes fractured his left hand in Friday's 120-105 loss to the Warriors. With surgery being deemed necessary to address the injury, Barnes will likely be sidelined for several weeks and could be shut down for the season, though Toronto hasn't provided an official timeline for his recovery. Before suffering the injury, Barnes had appeared in each of the Raptors' first 60 games of the season, averaging 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.7 three-pointers, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 steals in 34.9 minutes per contest while shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 78.1 percent from the free-throw line.
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Raptors' Scottie Barnes: Suffers left hand fracture
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Barnes suffered a fracture to the third metacarpal bone of his left hand in Friday's 120-105 loss to the Warriors and is considered out indefinitely, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports. He recorded 10 points (4-7 FG, 2-5 3Pt), six rebounds, three assists and one steal across 16 minutes before departing.
The Raptors should provide more clarity regarding a recovery timetable for Barnes and a treatment plan in the coming days, but fantasy managers should be prepared for the third-year forward to miss multiple weeks. While Barnes is out, more minutes should open up for Kelly Olynyk, Gradey Dick, Bruce Brown and possibly Ochai Agbaji.
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Raptors' Scottie Barnes: Will not return Friday
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Barnes won't return to Friday's game versus the Warriors due to a left hand injury, Eric Koreen of The Athletic reports. He finished with 10 points (4-7 FG, 2-5 3Pt), six rebounds, three assists and one steal in 16 minutes.
Barnes checked out of Friday's game before halftime and was in visible pain. Kelly Olynyk started the second half in his place, and he would be a big beneficiary if Barnes misses additional time. Next up for the Raptors is a matchup versus the Hornets on Sunday.
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Raptors' Scottie Barnes: Comes close to triple-double
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Barnes chipped in 19 points (9-22 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 1-3 FT), 11 rebounds, seven assists, one block and three steals over 39 minutes during Wednesday's 136-125 loss to Dallas.
Barnes' ability to fill the stat sheet and rack up stats is no longer a secret in The Association, but the third-year forward has taken a massive leap in 2023-24, handling a bigger role as a playmaker and doing work on the boards. The numbers back that up, as Barnes is averaging 18.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game over his last eight appearances, a span in which he's also racked up five double-doubles and two triple-doubles.
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Raptors' Scottie Barnes: Too much for Indiana
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Barnes finished with 21 points (8-18 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 5-5 FT), 12 rebounds, 12 assists and five blocks over 38 minutes during Monday's 130-122 victory over Indiana.
Barnes became the eighth-youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double that also featured at least five blocks. Barnes feasted on a Pacers squad lacking point-of-attack pressure with Aaron Nesmith (ankle) sidelined, allowing Barnes' playmaking to thrive even while his scoring wasn't at peak efficiency.
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Raptors' Scottie Barnes: Double-double in Friday's win
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Barnes ended with 20 points (8-13 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-4 FT), five rebounds, 10 assists, one block and one steal across 37 minutes during Friday's 123-121 victory over the Hawks.
It was the 23rd double-double of the season for the third-year forward, and his fourth in the last six games to go along with a triple-double. Barnes has struggled with his shot during that stretch, averaging 18.5 points while making just 16.7 percent (3-for-18) of his three-point attempts, but he's made up for it with 9.7 boards, 8.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.2 blocks a contest.
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Raptors' Scottie Barnes: Notches double-double vs. Nets
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Barnes finished Thursday's 121-93 victory over Brooklyn with 18 points (7-13 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists, one block and three steals in 31 minutes.
Barnes registered his 21st double-double of the season in Thursday's win as he continues to expand his game following the departures of OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam. Barnes has filled out the box score as of late and has now recorded a double-double or better in four of his last six appearances. The All-Star forward is averaging 20.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.3 steals on 47.4 percent shooting this season.
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Raptors' Scottie Barnes: Close to another double-double
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Barnes closed with 29 points (12-22 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 5-5 FT), 12 rebounds, eight assists, one block and one steal across 36 minutes during Wednesday's 127-125 loss to the Pacers.
Barnes finished two assists short of a triple-double for the second time across his last four games, and his strong two-way contributions are transforming him into one of the most versatile forwards in the league. Even though he's not expected to lead the Raptors in scoring, he's also taken a step forward in that regard of late, something that should be even more noticeable following the trade deadline. Barnes is averaging 19.4 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game since the beginning of February.
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Raptors' Scottie Barnes: Gets little help in loss
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Barnes supplied 28 points (10-17 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 7-8 FT), seven rebounds, four assists and one steal in 33 minutes during Friday's 135-106 loss to Houston.
The third-year forward led the Raptors in scoring once again, but only two other Toronto players even scored in double digits on the night. Barnes may be wearing down a bit under the weight of having to carry the entire team following the departures of Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby -- in 16 games since the beginning of January, Barnes is averaging 18.9 points, 5.7 assists, 5.6 boards, 1.6 blocks, 1.2 threes and 0.9 steals while shooting 27.9 percent from beyond the arc.
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Raptors' Scottie Barnes: Team-high 23 points in loss
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Barnes racked up 23 points (9-21 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-5 FT), five rebounds, four assists and one steal in 35 minutes during Friday's 127-107 loss to the Clippers.
It's the fourth time in the last five games Barnes has produced 20 or more points, although the fifth game was a nine-point dud against the Knicks. The third-year wing is the unquestioned No. 1 option in Toronto with Pascal Siakam gone, and while his consistency still leaves something to be desired, Barnes is averaging 19.4 points, 6.6 boards, 5.4 assists, 1.9 threes, 1.8 blocks and 1.1 steals in 16 games since Christmas.
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Raptors' Scottie Barnes: Pours in 31 against Chicago
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Barnes ended Thursday's 116-110 loss to the Bulls with 31 points (11-18 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 7-9 FT), seven rebounds, six assists, three blocks and three steals in 37 minutes.
The third-year forward came within a point of tying his career high. Ceiling games figure to be a common occurrence for Barnes the rest of the way in 2023-24 with Pascal Siakam now a Pacer, as the fourth overall pick in the 2021 Draft is the unquestioned top dog for the Raptors. Barnes has scored 20 or more points in 10 of the last 14 games, averaging 20.6 points, 6.9 boards, 5.4 assists, 2.3 threes, 1.6 blocks and 1.2 steals over that stretch.
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Raptors' Scottie Barnes: Records double-double in loss
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Barnes notched 10 points (5-12 FG, 0-2 3Pt), 13 rebounds, two assists and two steals across 41 minutes during Monday's 105-96 loss to Boston.
Barnes didn't have his best shooting outing Monday, though it was a game where most of the Raptors' offense struggled against one of the best defenses in the NBA. However, Barnes still found a way to make his presence felt since he contributed in peripheral stats while also notching his first double-double since Dec. 29. Barnes is averaging 16.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.4 blocks per game since the start of January.
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Raptors' Scottie Barnes: Leads team with 26 points
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Barnes registered 26 points (11-20 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three rebounds, six assists and two blocks across 40 minutes before fouling out of Tuesday's 132-131 loss to the Lakers.
Coach Darko Rajakovic had a lot to say about the referees' treatment of Barnes after the game, and he made a convincing point. Barnes saw only two free-throw attempts in the loss, and there were several drives to the basket where he was manhandled by Anthony Davis without a whistle. Despite relentless pressure, Barnes delivered the best line on the team, and his long-term prospects should improve with the recent backcourt upgrades and the trade rumors surrounding Pascal Siakam.
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Raptors' Scottie Barnes: Comes close to double-double
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Barnes closed Wednesday's 116-111 victory over the Grizzlies with 20 points (7-14 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), two rebounds, eight assists and one steal in 40 minutes.
Barnes finished just two assists away from recording a double-double Wednesday, and while Immanuel Quickley has been featuring as the starting point guard since being acquired from the Knicks a few days ago, Barnes has been much more involved in the playmaking department this season. The third-year forward is having a career-best season so far, averaging 23.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 steals per game since the start of December.
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Raptors' Scottie Barnes: Solid all-around display in loss
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Barnes posted 22 points (8-20 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 5-5 FT), nine rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals in 36 minutes during Saturday's 129-127 loss to the Pistons.
The Raptors will go down in history as the team that allowed the Pistons to snap their 28-game losing skid, and while that distinction won't go away any time soon, it's worth noting Barnes did everything in his power to avoid that outcome. The small forward continues to have a career-best season and has been excellent in December, averaging 23.8 points, 9.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game over his last 10 outings. He scored at least 20 points in all but one of those contests.
Barnes finished Wednesday's 132-102 victory over the Wizards with 20 points (8-16 FG, 4-8 3Pt), 12 rebounds, eight assists, two blocks and three steals in 33 minutes.
Lining up as the point guard in a new-look starting five for the Raptors, Barnes was up to the task as he nearly delivered his third triple-double of the season. The third-year star has put together an outstanding December, averaging 23.5 points, 10.0 boards, 6.6 assists, 2.5 threes, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 steals while shooting 55.2 percent from the floor and 40.3 percent from beyond the arc.
