The Toronto Raptors might have to navigate Wednesday’s matchup with the San Antonio Spurs without Scottie Barnes, their All-Star engine. Barnes bruised his right quad late in Tuesday’s loss to the Thunder and is officially listed as questionable for the second night of this back-to-back.
With Toronto trying to solidify its footing in the East, Barnes' status looms large over Wednesday night's contest at Scotiabank Arena vs. one of the Western Conference's best teams.
Let’s dive into the latest Scottie Barnes injury update and how it could impact PrizePicks NBA picks for Wednesday night’s Raptors vs. Spurs bout at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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Scottie Barnes Injury Update: Is Barnes Playing Tonight?
In 56 games this season, Barnes has been Toronto's unquestioned alpha. He's averaging 19.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game in 55 games — numbers that reflect the leap he's taken as a franchise cornerstone.
Toronto is on the second night of a back-to-back, following Tuesday's game against Oklahoma City. Barnes' usage rate of 24.2% raises questions about his workload on this second leg of a back-to-back, given a quad injury that could hinder his performance.
With no decision made yet, Barnes' injury status is worth monitoring heading into Wednesday's tip-off at Scotiabank Arena.
As of the publishing of this article, the Raptors return a 3.12x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks as underdogs for tonight’s matchup against the Spurs.
Scottie Barnes Injury Impact: Which Raptors Players to Target?
Should Barnes sit out Wednesday's contest against the Spurs, the most obvious beneficiary is fellow starter G-F Brandon Ingram. The 6'8" guard has quietly put together a good season in year one with the Toronto Raptors, averaging 21.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists across 56 games this season.
Ingram's usage rate is 27.3% with Barnes on the floor. With Barnes off, Ingram's usage jumps to 31.3%, tops on the team, ahead of RJ Barrett's 30.4% usage.
More possessions in Ingram's hands means more isolation opportunities, mid-range pull-ups, and crafty, methodical scoring that makes him one of Toronto's most reliable options.
Beyond Ingram, C Jakob Poeltl is another name worth monitoring. Without Barnes commanding defensive attention in the front court, Poeltl could see increased pick-and-roll opportunities and an uptick in scoring chances in the paint.
The Raptors' offense runs differently when Barnes isn't dictating pace — and that creates a ripple effect throughout the entire rotation.
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Brandon Ingram vs. Spurs Projection, Picks
Here are some of the top Brandon Ingram projections vs. the Spurs tonight, via PrizePicks.
- 22 Points
- 5.5 Rebounds
- 3.5 Assists
- 31.5 Pts + Rebs + Asts
- 37 Fantasy Score
Make Raptors vs. Spurs Picks on PrizePicks
With Barnes' status uncertain heading into tip-off, the Raptors will look to lean on their supporting cast to stay competitive in the East, including Brandon Ingram's scoring. On Wednesday, the Raptors face a surging San Antonio team that offers an exciting matchup for fans.
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