Forward Scottie Barnes fractured his left hand’s third metacarpal bone in the second quarter of Friday’s loss to Golden State, according to a press release from the Raptors, as reported by Shams Charania. He is out indefinitely.
It’s a tough blow for the former Rookie of the Year, who has averaged career highs in every major metric this season, including points (20.0), rebounds (8.3), assists (6.1), steals (1.3), and blocks (1.5) in 59 games. His shooting slash line in those games was.474/.340/.781.
Barnes, an All-Star for the first time in 2023-24, has taken on a larger role on both sides of the court for Toronto after the team lost Fred VanVleet to free agency last summer and then elected to trade imminent free agents Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby during the season.
Since the squad is currently constructed around Barnes, who was the fourth overall pick in 2020, it’s difficult to predict who will fill larger responsibilities in his absence. Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett appear to be obvious trade options, but none have Barnes’ size or distinctive skill set.
At 22-38, the Raptors were already on the outside looking in for the playoffs, behind the Hawks by 4.5 games for the final slot in the East’s play-in tournament. With Barnes out, their modest chances of making the playoffs are all but obliterated.
Barnes, 22, will be eligible for a rookie scale deal in the offseason, and he has a very strong chance of receiving a maximum-salary offer from Toronto.
