Barnes back, but Canadian swingman Barrett out for Raptors vs. Nets due to illness

By The Canadian Press on December 19, 2024.

Canadian swingman RJ Barrett will miss tonight's Toronto Raptors game against the Brooklyn Nets. Toronto Raptors' RJ Barrett (9) protects the ball from Chicago Bulls' Ayo Dosunmu (11) during second half NBA basketball action in Toronto on Monday, December 16, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

TORONTO – Canadian swingman RJ Barrett and backup guard Davion Mitchell will miss tonight’s Raptors game against the Brooklyn Nets but all-star forward Scottie Barnes will return to Toronto’s lineup.

Barrett, from Mississauga, Ont., is out with an illness.

Mitchell had been listed as questionable with a right shoulder strain before the game but was then ruled out.

Barrett has been the backbone of the Raptors lineup as they grapple with a rash of injuries, including Barnes’s sprained right ankle.

He is averaging 23.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6.1 assists this season.

Barrett has a 30.2 usage percentage, meaning that he’s involved in nearly a third of Toronto’s plays when he’s on the court.

Barnes has averaged 20.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 7.4 assists so far this season, better numbers across the board than last year when he was the Raptors’ only all-star.

Mitchell is averaging 6.7 points, five assists and 2.3 rebounds off the bench.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 19, 2024.