Rajakovic Comments On Raptors' Injury Luck After Barnes' Ankle Injury

Darko Rajakovic remains unfazed by the Toronto Raptors' injury woes, even after Scottie Barnes exited their 113-108 loss to the New York Knicks due to an ankle injury. Barnes left during the third quarter after landing on Knicks centre Karl-Anthony Towns while contesting a rebound. Before his exit, Barnes had contributed 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists in 23 minutes.

Barnes' absence is another setback for the Raptors' future core. He missed 11 games earlier this season with a right orbital fracture, wearing protective glasses since his return. During his absence, Toronto struggled with a 2-9 record. The team has not seen Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley play together for the last 57 games.

Rajakovic commented on Barnes' injury, stating, "We'll see how he feels (Tuesday) morning and go from there." He added that he doesn't question injuries as they are beyond his control. "We're going to go through it. We're going to walk the walk," he said.

RJ Barrett led the Raptors with 30 points against his former team but couldn't prevent a third consecutive defeat. Reflecting on Barnes' departure from the game, Barrett noted its impact: "It was a tough blow. We were playing so well, especially with Scottie on the floor."

Barnes entered Monday's game averaging career highs of 21 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 7.8 assists. Barrett acknowledged that despite the close nature of the match, they had opportunities to win. "It was a hard-fought game," Barrett remarked. "Those are the ones you wish you get to win."

Despite recent setbacks, Toronto's performance showed promise with key players like Barnes contributing significantly when available. The team's resilience will be tested as they navigate these challenges in upcoming games.