Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes sustained a foot injury during their recent game against the New York Knicks, which ended in a 113-108 defeat for the Raptors. The incident occurred late in the third quarter when Barnes attempted to block a shot from Karl-Anthony Towns. A collision ensued, causing both players to fall to the floor. Almost immediately, Barnes expressed that he couldn’t feel his right foot, prompting concern from the coaching staff and trainers.
After the fall, he was unable to put weight on his foot and required assistance to exit the court, heading directly to the locker room. As of now, the team has confirmed that he is dealing with an ankle sprain, but specifics regarding the severity of the injury are yet to be released.
Despite the setback, Barnes had a solid performance during his 23 minutes on the court, scoring 15 points along with five rebounds and three assists. Before this game, he was enjoying a breakout season, averaging a career-high of 21 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first injury he has faced this season; he previously missed several weeks following an orbital fracture from an incident involving Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić.
In the closely contested game, the Knicks secured the victory in the final moments, with R.J. Barrett leading the Raptors with 30 points and eight rebounds. This win marked the Knicks’ fifth victory in six games, improving their record to 15-9 for the season. The Raptors, on the other hand, are now 7-18.
The future remains uncertain for Barnes, but with the Raptors scheduled to play only one game against the Miami Heat in the coming week, there is a possibility he might be able to recover quickly and limit his time away from the court.
The news regarding Scottie Barnes’ injury serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports. Fans remain hopeful that he will recover swiftly and return to the form that has been exciting to watch this season, contributing significantly to the Raptors’ efforts as they navigate a challenging start to the year.