Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes sustained a foot injury during the team’s 113-108 defeat against the New York Knicks at Scotiabank Arena on Monday night. The incident occurred in the third quarter as Barnes attempted to block a shot from Karl-Anthony Towns. In the process, he collided awkwardly with Towns, leading to his immediate distress. Witnesses reported that he expressed to trainers that he was unable to feel his foot while sitting on the court.
Barnes, clearly in pain, was assisted off the court without putting any weight on his injured foot and later went to the locker room for further evaluation. The Raptors later announced that he would not return to the game due to an ankle sprain, though specific details regarding the extent of the injury remain unclear.
Before his exit, Barnes had contributed 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists in just 23 minutes of play. He has been having a standout season, averaging a career-high 21 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game this year. It’s worth noting that he had already faced setbacks earlier this season after suffering an orbital fracture from a play involving Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić.
The game itself was closely contested, culminating in a late run by the Knicks after R.J. Barrett tied the game with 45 seconds left. Towns led New York with 24 points and 15 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson added 20 points and 11 assists. The victory marked the Knicks’ fifth win in their last six games, improving their record to 15-9. Meanwhile, Barrett shone for the Raptors, scoring 30 points and grabbing eight rebounds, but the loss dropped Toronto to a 7-18 record. Teammate Jakob Poeltl also made his mark with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
As for Barnes, the Raptors have a week with a single game on the schedule against the Miami Heat, which could potentially minimize the time he misses. Fans are hopeful that the injury isn’t serious and wish for a swift recovery for the talented young player.
This situation underscores the unpredictability of sports injuries and the importance of player safety. If managed well, Barnes could return to action shortly, allowing him to continue his impressive development in the league.