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Tim BontempsESPN
PHILADELPHIA Toronto RaptorsBefore Monday’s shootaround, Nick Nurse stated that Coach Nick Nurse was preparing for Game 2 against the Philadelphia 76ersThis rookie forward Scottie BarnesIt won’t play and it was unlikely to guard Gary Trent Jr. Oder Thaddeus Young would, either.
Nurse stated, “Scottie is out.” “Gary isn’t here for shootaround. He’s still uncertain and Thad is, well, he has some damage to his thumb. They’ll tape him up and show you what it looks like shootaround. However, I think he’s also doubtful.
As Nurse stated that they would be following Sunday practice, all three players were listed as doubtful. Barnes sustained a left ankle injury while Barnes was 76ers star Joel EmbiidYoung injured his thumb in the second quarter after Young accidentally stepped onto his foot in Game 4. Trent suffered from a non-COVID illness which bothered him during the week leading to the game. He had to miss Sunday practice and Monday’s shootaround because of it.
Barnes was the focus of Monday’s attention. He spoke to the media and was wearing a large boot on the left foot.
Barnes fell in a heap, yelling in pain, before rising to his feet. He was assisted by some staff to make his way to the locker room. Barnes said that he initially worried it would be worse than an ankle injury.
Barnes said, “I believed it was going to go bad, man.” “I fell to the ground, and I thought it was going to be terrible. It’s just the start, it’s just the beginning.
“But, then, I just tried to think positive thoughts and keep my mind in it.”
Barnes was one of the finalists for the Rookie of Year award this year. He finished Game 1 with 15 points and 10 rebounds, eight assists, and left with an injury.
Although he declined to provide a time frame for his return, he said that he felt better every day.
When asked when he would be back on the court, he smiled and said “I don’t know”. “It could be very soon. We’ll just have to wait. “Every day, I feel better.”
All this adds up to a miserable situation for the Raptors. The Raptors came into this series with the expectation of beating the favored Sixers. But they were both beaten in Game 1. And could be losing three rotation players (including two starters) for Game 2.
The team’s two veterans leaders are however, Fred VanVleetAnd Pascal SiakamOver the last 24 hours,, have repeated that they have been in these kinds of situations many times before. It’s up for them to rally the team and take things forward in a positive way into Game 2.
Siakam stated that “I think all roles kind of go up somewhat.” Siakam said, “There’s someone that will be there to support Scottie and somebody that will be there to help whoever isn’t playing.” Everyone needs to step up. Everyone has to step up. And those guys [are]A large part of our team relies on them.
“So, you can weed them all out. We’re missing something. People have to step up. All of us have to take the initiative.”
Nurse declined to give details about who would step in — and into the starting line-up in place Barnes and Trent, assuming the latter can’t play.
Nurse stated, “I’m going to just have to see all of the way up until game time as to who is actually going in there.”[It]This could be used in many ways. It could be used in a matter of minutes by a lot of different guys. We’ll have just to wait and see what happens.