Everything is on the table for Scottie Barnes.
There’s no timeline on Barnes’ return for the Toronto Raptors as he and the organization continue to go over options following a fracture he sustained in his left hand Friday night. He’s seeing a specialist with more information expected in the next day or two, Raptors coach Darko Rajaković said.
Surgery has not been ruled out for Barnes who would likely miss the remainder of the season should it be necessary.
“It's going to be an opportunity for him to reflect on the season and to continue supporting teammates,” Rajaković said of Barnes who will not be with the team Sunday night when the Raptors host the Charlotte Hornets.
The loss of Barnes leaves Toronto with a major hole to fill for the foreseeable future. The expectation is his playing time will be divvied up among Toronto’s young core who will be expected to help fill the void in Barnes’ absence.
“This is gonna be a great opportunity for them to step up,” Rajaković said. “I expect (Immanuel) Quickley and RJ (Barrett) to step up and our leaders Kelly Olynyk and Jakob (Poeltl) to step up. Gary (Trent Jr.) can step up, but also this is going to be a good opportunity to take a closer and better look at some of the young guys like Jordan Nwora and Ochai (Agbaji), he can get more minutes.”
Gradey Dick will have an expanded role too, Rajaković said. He will see his playing time increase and Toronto is hoping to see progress from him over the final month and a half.
“It's opportunities everywhere and it's gonna be for those guys to grab those opportunities to learn through those and to grow,” Rajaković said. “Our objectives stay the same: To be competitive and try to win it every single night again.”
Toronto will have to do it without Bruce Brown Jr. on Sunday who has been downgraded to out with a right knee injury.
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