The Toronto Raptors have one other damage that’s prone to prolong into the common season.
RJ Barrett, the Raptors’ beginning small ahead, suffered a sprain of his proper acromioclavicular (AC) joint in Sunday’s preseason opener in opposition to the Washington Wizards, the crew introduced on Tuesday. He’ll miss the Raptors’ remaining 4 video games of the preseason at minimal.
Barrett harm himself as he tried to navigate a display set by Washington large man Jonas Valančiūnas, who was known as for an offensive foul on the play. Barrett briefly stayed within the recreation however exited earlier than the second quarter completed after scoring a team-high 17 factors in 14 minutes.
The Raptors begin the common season on Oct. 23 in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers, a recreation that can happen 17 days after Barrett’s damage occurred. It hurts the Raptors’ depth, which was already waning. Bruce Brown had arthroscopic surgical procedure on his proper knee about two weeks in the past. He’s anticipated to be reevaluated in every week, however is unlikely to be out there to begin the common season. Brown would have been an apparent candidate to step in for Barrett. Moreover, rookie swingman Ja’Kobe Walter suffered the identical damage as Barrett simply earlier than coaching camp started. There isn’t a timetable for his return, however he didn’t take part in on-court actions within the Raptors’ camp in Montreal final week.
Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley additionally missed coaching camp due to a private matter and a thumb damage, respectively. Each are anticipated to play sooner or later within the preseason.
With the absences, Ochai Agbaji is most definitely to begin in Barrett’s place, though the Raptors may go small with Davion Mitchell or greater with Kelly Olynyk or Chris Boucher.
After being traded to his hometown crew to finish 2023, Barrett performed a number of the finest basketball of his profession to shut out final season. He averaged 21.8 factors, 6.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 32 video games for the Raptors, with career-best marks in a variety of superior statistics. When wholesome, he’s anticipated to tackle an elevated defensive position with the Raptors this 12 months, defending a number of the league’s higher wings.
The crew is predicted to begin Quickley, Barnes, Gradey Dick and Jakob Poeltl.
(Photograph: Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Photos)
