The Toronto Raptors have one other damage that’s more likely to lengthen 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 towards the Washington Wizards, the crew introduced on Tuesday. He’ll miss the Raptors’ remaining 4 video games of the preseason at minimal.
Barrett damage himself as he tried to navigate a display screen set by Washington massive 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 towards the Cleveland Cavaliers, a recreation that may 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 accessible 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 is no such thing as 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 certainly to begin in Barrett’s place, though the Raptors might go small with Davion Mitchell or larger with Kelly Olynyk or Chris Boucher.
After being traded to his hometown crew to finish 2023, Barrett performed among 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 spread of superior statistics. When wholesome, he’s anticipated to tackle an elevated defensive position with the Raptors this yr, defending among the league’s higher wings.
The crew is anticipated to begin Quickley, Barnes, Gradey Dick and Jakob Poeltl.
(Picture: Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Photos)
