Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes is out for the remainder of Friday night’s game against the Golden State Warriors after suffering a left hand injury, according to The Athletic. Eric Koreen.
Barnes was injured in the first half and did not return after halftime. He had 10 points, six rebounds and three assists before his injury. Barnes is averaging 20 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game this season.
The Raptors are aiming for a big win against Golden State on Friday night as Toronto continues to fight for a spot in the Play-In tournament. The Raptors currently sit in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, four games shy of the 10th place they would need to win a Play-In game.
Barnes has taken a big step forward since his second year in the league, increasing his scoring average by nearly five points and averaging more rebounds and assists per game this year. The 2021 Rookie of the Year looks to lead a young Raptors team following Pascal Siakam’s trade to the Indiana Pacers in January, and he will look to make a quick recovery to get back on the court as quickly as possible.
Toronto failed to reach the playoffs last year after losing to the Chicago Bulls in the Play-In tournament, and the Raptors are hoping for better success this season. Bringing Barnes back soon would help immensely.
Meanwhile, the Warriors look to continue their recent streak with a win against the Raptors on Friday. Golden State has won 10 of its last 12 games, but still has a lot of work to do, sitting in 10th place in the West. With Toronto losing a key player midway through Friday’s game, the Warriors’ chances of winning improve significantly.
