Scottie Barnes ‘still sore,’ questionable for game against Indiana Pacers, Raptors say

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Scottie Barnes appears to have avoided serious injury, but might miss Wednesday’s home game against the Indiana Pacers, the Raptors indicated on Tuesday.

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Barnes, the NBA’s reigning rookie of the year, missed the second half of Sunday’s loss at Milwaukee after hurting his wrist. X-rays were negative and head coach Nick Nurse said follow-ups were good as well.

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“He did not practice today,” Nurse told reporters at OVO Centre. “The MRI was clear that he had. He is still pretty sore. I think he’s day-to-day. I think there is going to be another evaluation here this afternoon. But right now he is day-to-day and questionable.

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Barnes leads all Raptors with 69 appearances this season and has not missed a game since Nov. 26. He ranks third on the team in rebounds, assists and blocks per game and fifth in scoring.

The starting lineup had been outstanding in recent weeks with the full group finally healthy, after a season filled with injuries. Centre Jakob Poeltl has been a stabilizing force, but also has impacted how Barnes has been used. He had been thriving as more of a big man prior to the acquisition of Poeltl, but has mostly not been as impactful since. Still, as a whole, the group had been thriving, so any Barnes absence would be felt, with only 10 games remaining in the regular season.

The Indiana game kicks off a four-game homestand for the Raptors, who once again are attempting to reach the .500 mark, as well as lock in a play-in berth.