For the second time this season, Toronto Raptors star Scottie Barnes has suffered an injury.
Barnes sprained his right ankle in the third quarter of Monday's home game against the New York Knicks and didn't return to game action.
X-rays after the game were negative, according to head coach Darko Rajakovic.
TSN's Josh Lewenberg notes that X-rays can initially miss fractures and the team will know more once an MRI is completed.
This is undoubtedly encouraging news, though (as far as I understand) it doesn’t rule out a break - Initially X-rays can miss fractures. They’ll know more after an MRI, which I assume he’ll get tonight or tomorrow.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) December 10, 2024
The incident happened when Barnes landed on the foot of Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns, and looked to be in severe discomfort on the floor. He eventually hopped to the dressing room without putting any weight on his right foot.
Barnes had to be helped to the tunnel and then hopped to the locker, without putting any weight on his right foot. Not good.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) December 10, 2024
The Raptors fell to the Knicks, 113-108, for their third straight loss, dropping their record to 7-18.
Barnes, 23, has already missed 11 games after suffering an orbital bone fracture in the fourth game of the season against the visiting Denver Nuggets.
When on the court, Barnes is putting together his best NBA season, averaging career highs in points (21), rebounds (8.7) and assists (7.8) while shooting 46.1 per cent from the field across 13 games.
Barnes had 15 points alongside five rebounds and three assists against the Knicks before leaving.
A fourth overall selection in 2021, Barnes was named an All-Star for the first time in his career last season.
