The Toronto Raptors have two games remaining in their 2023-24 schedule, a season that has seen the team effectively be forced into a rebuild. Scottie Barnes injured his hand in early March, and that was the beginning of the end of the Raptors season. Hope had remained, though, that he might return to the lineup.
As recently as April 8, Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic did not want to rule Barnes out for the remainder of the season, saying that he was ramping up towards a possible return. And that enthusiasm was met by Barnes when he was seen getting shots up before Toronto’s most recent game against the Brooklyn Nets.
However, even with Barnes using his injured left hand in warmups and getting shots up before games, Rajakovic admitted that it is unlikely he makes a return in one of the final two games of the season, according to Raptors sideline reporter Savanna Hamilton:
Scottie Barnes got some shots up pregame today.
Coach Rajaković said that he is now in the “reconditioning phase” and has been using his left hand again.
He is “progressing really well” and it’s “possible but not realistic” for him to return to play this season. pic.twitter.com/ESQAEcdD8u
— Savanna Hamilton (@SavHamilton11) April 10, 2024
The Raptors play on April 12 and April 14 to close out the 2023-24 season and while it would be great for the Raptors to see at least one more game with Barnes and the team’s new additions before the offseason, there is no reason to rush Barnes into it. He can now get fully healthy and get a full offseason of training without having to deal with lingering issues.
Darko Rajakovic: Raptors working hard to turn things around
The Raptors have gone through major changes this season as they finally embraced a direction. For as bad as this season was, it is all about the future for the Raptors. They are hoping that this rebuild will be a quick turnaround and the team will be back competing sooner rather than later.
The Raptors have their core set with Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett along with rookie Gradey Dick. Toronto will also have up to 3 picks in this upcoming 2024 NBA Draft to add to their young roster.
Rajakovic mentioned that everyone in the Raptors organization is working hard to turn this situation around.
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