Star duo of the Raptors returns to practice following a prolonged absence.
To begin with, the Toronto Raptors’ season wasn’t going very well. However, since All-Star forward Scottie Barnes broke his left hand while playing against the Golden State Warriors on March 1, they have been without a paddle and up against the rapids.
The Raptors, who are 23-50 on the season, have lost their last 12 games. Despite averaging 104.0 points per game and hitting 32.1 percent from three, they have lost 12 straight games. Additionally, they let up 119.5 points every game. In the NBA, each number is ranked 28th.
Raptors’ star duo resumes practice following a lengthy absence.
Scottie Barnes
Barnes has made his way back to the courtroom. The third-year professional made his first use of his left hand following surgery on Friday. After a post-practice shooting drill, he was captured on camera making a basket from slightly inside the three-point line.
Barnes has nine games left to play in order to reach the 65-game requirement and qualify for league awards. This season, he has appeared in 60 games. That said, he could wait until April 7 if he was aiming for the 65-game requirement.
Barnes, who shoots 47.5 percent from the field and averages 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.3 steals a game, is a candidate for the Most Improved Player Award and is a member of the All-Defensive team. Barnes is more likely to be selected to the All-Defensive team. Among players who could play the required 65 games to qualify for All-Defensive team, his 2.8 stocks per game tie him for fourth place in the NBA.
Barrett, R.J.
Due to his grief at the passing of his younger brother Nathan, RJ Barrett has missed the last eight games. Barrett returned to practice for Toronto this week as well. Barrett talks candidly about his brother’s passing and says:
“It’s undoubtedly a difficult moment. My best friend was him. I miss him all the time. I’m still messaging him. I don’t know why, but I still talk to him occasionally. However, I appreciate everyone’s support, especially that of the Raptors.
“Man, he was the best,” says Barrett looking back. “He got everything else, but I got basketball.” He was capable of anything he set his mind to.
Barrett, the third overall choice in the 2019 NBA Draft, has excelled since joining the Raptors. He has averaged 20.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 27 games while shooting 41.7 percent from three-point range and 55.3 percent from the field. The 23-year-old, who has his finest years ahead of him, is contracted through the 2026–2027 campaign.
Returning to practice, he says, “brings me peace because basketball is my sanctuary.”
“If my brother were here, he would want me to stay and try to carry on the Barrett legacy.”
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