Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse said X-rays on Scottie Barnes‘ left ankle were negative after the rookie left Game 1 versus the Philadelphia 76ers early.
Barnes appeared to have his ankle stepped on by 76ers center Joel Embiid at the beginning of the fourth quarter. He immediately went down in pain and needed assistance leaving the court. The Raptors eventually ruled him out of returning to the game.
Nurse stated that Barnes would undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury. The team was scheduled to have practice on Sunday morning and would likely provide an update at that time.
Scottie Barnes was helped off the court to the locker room after Joel Embiid stepped on his foot in the 4th quarter. pic.twitter.com/HzlZj3vh9I
— ESPN (@espn) April 17, 2022
Barnes recorded 15 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and one blocked shot in 31 minutes of work during the Raptors’ 131-111 loss. He went 4-of-6 from the field, including 7-of-9 from the free-throw line, before leaving in the fourth quarter.
Nurse thought Barnes played well in his playoff debut.
I thought he was confident out there and was making good plays. I would have liked him to get a few more attempts at the rim or shot attempts in general but he put up 15 and was getting to the free-throw line. I thought he was cutting well, made some nice passes. I thought he looked like he belonged out there for a young rookie in his first playoff game on the road against a good team.
Certainly, Barnes and the Raptors will be holding out hope the injury is not too serious and the fourth pick can return to play again in the first round. He has emerged as a key player for the Raptors this season and is among the front-runners to win Rookie of the Year.
Game 2 between the Raptors and 76ers is on Monday at 7:30 p.m. EDT.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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