Toronto Raptors’ rookie RJ Barrett will be sitting out for the remainder of the pre-season due to a sprained right shoulder, the team announced on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old shooting guard sustained the injury during the Raptors’ game against the Houston Rockets on Sunday. He underwent an MRI on Monday, which revealed the extent of the sprain.
Barrett, who was selected third overall in the 2019 NBA draft, has been a key player for the Raptors during the pre-season, averaging 17.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in five games.
The team has not provided a timeline for Barrett’s return, but he is expected to be re-evaluated in two weeks. This means he will likely miss the Raptors’ final two pre-season games against the Brooklyn Nets and the Chicago Bulls.
This injury comes as a blow to the Raptors, who were hoping to see Barrett continue to develop and make an impact on the court. However, the team remains optimistic about his recovery and is confident that he will be back in action soon.
In the meantime, the Raptors will have to rely on their other players to step up and fill the void left by Barrett’s absence. This includes veteran players like Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka, as well as other young talents such as Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby.
The Raptors’ regular season begins on October 22, and it is unclear if Barrett will be ready to play by then. However, the team is taking a cautious approach and will not rush him back until he is fully healed.
Fans will have to wait and see how Barrett’s injury will affect his rookie season with the Raptors. But one thing is for sure, the team will do everything in their power to support him and ensure a speedy recovery.
