Raptors Make RJ Barrett Announcement Before Suns Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Elie Deglaoui | Last updated Mar 17, 2025 6:02 PM ET

On Sunday night, the Toronto Raptors lost to the Portland Trail Blazers, snapping their three-game winning streak. Before the loss, Toronto had won six of their last seven games. With less than a month remaining in the regular season, it seems that the Raptors are looking to make a late push to secure a postseason spot.

Currently, the Raptors are 24-44 and are 4.5 games behind the No. 10 seed Chicago Bulls, who won the final Play-In spot. While not impossible, a lot will have to go right for the Raptors the rest of the way to make the postseason. Fortunately for them, they do not have to wait long after their loss to Portland to get back on track.

The Raptors will stay on the road and take on the Phoenix Suns on Monday night. However, before the game, the Raptors made an announcement on RJ Barrett, who missed the team's game against the Trail Blazers.

In his first full season with the Raptors, Barrett is averaging 21.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game and has played an essential role with the team. Unfortunately for Toronto, Barrett will miss his second consecutive game due to an illness.

Jakob Poeltl will rest tonight. RJ Barrett remains out with an illness.

Walter, Dick, Ingram, Chomche remain out. Rhoden is with Raptors 905.
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) March 17, 2025

According to StatMuse, the Raptors are 5-11 without Barrett this season. Even though Phoenix has struggled for most of the season, this does not bode well for the Raptors.

Barrett's next opportunity to suit up will be on Thursday against the Golden State Warriors. Hopefully for the Raptors, the Canadian native will be healthy and available against the red-hot Warriors.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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