Toronto Raptors rookie Scottie Barnes will return to play on Friday versus the Cleveland Cavaliers after missing two games with a thumb injury, head coach Nick Nurse said on Thursday.
Barnes suffered the injury on Saturday in a win over the Indiana Pacers. The Raptors announced afterward that X-rays on the thumb were negative as it was not believed to be a serious injury. Nurse later said his thumb was just a little sore.
He was cleared to return on Thursday and was a full participant in practice.
The fourth overall pick has emerged as perhaps the top rookie to this point of the season, averaging 18.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and two assists in seven games. He leads all rookie players in scoring, rebounding and ranks second in double-doubles with two.
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Barnes has made a tremendous impact with the Raptors in such a short time frame. He recently became just the second rookie in franchise history to record 100 points through his first six games, joining Damon Stoudamire, who was the 1995-96 NBA Rookie of the Year.
His rookie campaign is certainly off to a remarkable start, and the Raptors have benefitted as a result. He will now have the opportunity to add to that after recovering from his thumb injury.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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