Hold onto your hats, folks! RJ Barrett’s preseason just hit a major speed bump, and Raptors fans are feeling the sting.
Barrett’s Bumpy Ride
So here’s the scoop: RJ Barrett, Toronto’s seasoned guard, is sidelined for the rest of the preseason thanks to a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder. The injury happened during a Sunday showdown against the Wizards, where Barrett was trying to dodge a screen from Jonas Valanciunas. Talk about bad timing! Valanciunas even got hit with an offensive foul on that play. Barrett was on fire, shooting 70% from the field and racking up 17 points in just 14 minutes before he had to make a quick exit to the locker room.
The Raptors announced RJ Barrett will miss the remainder of preseason due to a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder.
Barrett will be re-evaluated ahead of the regular season opener to determine a potential timetable.
โ Evan Sidery (@esidery)
A Homecoming Trade
Remember when Barrett was traded back to his hometown squad last December? The Knicks sent him, along with Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 second-round pick, to the Raptors. In return, they snagged Precious Achiuwa, OG Anunoby, and Malachi Flynn, whoโs now balling with the Spurs. It’s like an NBA version of musical chairs! I think Toronto definitely got the better end of this deal, but hey, only time will tell.
Barrett’s Big Numbers
Last season, Barrett was a beast on the court, averaging a career-high 20.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. He was a scoring machine, shooting nearly 50% from the floor and 36% from beyond the arc. One of his standout performances was against the Warriors, where he dropped a cool 37 points. Not too shabby, right? Plus, he represented Team Canada in the Olympics. This guy’s got talent for days!
Looking Ahead for the Raptors
With Barrett expected to step up defensively, the Raptors are gearing up for a strong season. They’ve locked in Quickley with a massive five-year, $175 million contract, and Scottie Barnes also signed a max rookie extension worth up to $270 million. Talk about a payday! But can these moves propel Toronto to the top?
As we wait for Barrett’s re-evaluation before the regular season opener against the Cavaliers, one question lingers: Will RJ come back stronger and lead the Raptors to glory, or will this injury be a stumbling block in their quest for success? Only time will tell, but I’m betting on a comeback story for the ages!
