Toronto Raptors standout rookie Scottie Barnes is set to return to action on Friday after missing two games with a thumb sprain, per the NBA's official injury report.
Scottie Barnes will play tomorrow vs Cleveland.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) November 4, 2021
Pascal Siakam (left shoulder injury recovery) and Yuta Watanabe (left calf strain) have been ruled out for Toronto's matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
NBA League Pass: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial)
The No. 4 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Barnes has gotten his rookie season off to a strong start with averages of 18.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.7 steals on 55.1 percent shooting from the field through seven games. He leads all rookies in scoring and rebounding, he's scored in double figures in each game and he already has two 20-point, 10-rebound performances.
In his last outing, Barnes led the Raptors to their third straight victory with 21 points and 12 rebounds against the Indiana Pacers.
Another night, another double-double for the rook.
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) October 31, 2021
21 Pts | 12 Reb pic.twitter.com/EjXSDERJ2T
Barnes hurt his thumb at the end of Toronto's win over Indiana. X-rays came back negative, and it is believed he has a jammed thumb.
Barnes didn't attend shootaround on the day of Toronto's matchup with the New York Knicks on Monday because he underwent a "precautionary" MRI, per Michael Grange or Sportsnet.
The Raptors took care of business without Barnes, defeating the Knicks and Wizards to bring their win streak to five games. In New York, OG Anunoby led the way with a career-best 36 points while Fred VanVleet stepped up to finish with 33 points in Washington.
The Raptors meeting with the Cavaliers tips off a two-game homestand in Toronto.
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its clubs.