Raptors Share Scottie Barnes Game Status Ahead Of Timberwolves Showdown

Scottie Barnes is ready to go.

The Toronto Raptors will have their All-Star forward back on Thursday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves after an 11-game absence due to a right orbital bone fracture he suffered late last month.

Barnes will be on a minutes restriction as the Raptors try to get him back to full strength, Raptors coach Darko Rajaković said. The plan is for him to wear goggles for the foreseeable future to protect his diseased right eye.

With Barnes back in the ranks, Toronto will see RJ Barrett, Gradey Dick and Jakob Poeltl slide back into more comfortable positions as secondary and tertiary players for the Raptors. The trio all have career-high scores to start this season and those numbers are expected to drop with Barnes taking on the bulk of Toronto’s offensive workload.

Barnes averaged 19.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6 assists per game through Toronto’s first four games of the year before suffering a right eye injury.

Rookie first-round pick Ja’Kobe Walter remains questionable, Rajaković said. He practiced with the Raptors 905 on Thursday morning and playing time remains a decision.

The Raptors continue to be without Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, Immanuel Quickley, Bruno Fernando and DJ Carton.