Overview
- Saturday practice participation led the Raptors to upgrade Barnes to questionable on the team’s official injury report and the NBA list, citing a left groin strain.
- The Raptors will re-evaluate Barnes before the 6:00 PM ET tip and his availability is not guaranteed and could change at game time.
- Kawhi Leonard is ruled out for the game with left knee management and Nate Bittle remains out with a right foot avulsion fracture, which limits Toronto’s frontcourt depth.
- Barnes has not played since Nov. 4 and is averaging 23.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists across eight games, so his return would immediately affect Toronto’s offense and playmaking.
- If cleared to play, Barnes’ scoring, creation and defensive versatility would alter matchups against New York’s stars and could ease pressure on RJ Barrett as the Raptors try to stop their long losing run to the Knicks.