Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes is expected to miss at least three weeks after suffering a right orbital fracture during their loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday, per Andscape senior NBA writer Marc J. Spears and announced by the team on Wednesday.
The injury occurred when Barnes was elbowed in the right eye by Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.
The timing is unfortunate for Barnes, who has had an impressive last three games after a poor opening night performance. Averaging 19.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and six assists so far, Barnes has been impressive through the first week of the season.
While Barnes has struggled from behind the arc this season, he is making 46 percent of his shots overall and 47.3 percent for his career, displaying his efficiency shooting the ball.
The 2021-22 Rookie of the Year and first-time All-Star last season, Barnes joins a long list of Raptors players who are currently inactive. Bruce Brown remains out indefinitely with a knee injury. Ja’Kobe Walter (shoulder) was recalled from Toronto’s G League affiliate Raptors 905 on Monday. Immanuel Quickley (pelvis) is doubtful for the Raptors game on Wednesday against the Hornets, while Kelly Olynyk (back) has been ruled out, per Sports Illustrated’s Aaron Rose.
With games against the Los Angeles Lakers (twice), Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics during Barnes’ expected absence, the Raptors have their hands full. Five of those six games are all on the road, which does not bode well for a short-handed team like the Raptors.
The grind is only beginning for Toronto as the franchise looks to get some of its key players back soon.
