Raptors Defeat Pelicans as Barnes Leads Offense; Injury Updates on Quickley, Barrett, Murray-Boyles
raptors-barnes-leads-win-injury-roundup
The Toronto Raptors secured a key win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, bolstering their push for a guaranteed Eastern Conference playoff berth.
With point guard Immanuel Quickley sidelined, head coach Darko Rajaković handed the starting assignment to rookie JaKobe Walter and shifted Scottie Barnes into primary playmaking duties. Barnes delivered 23 points on 10-for-14 shooting, 12 assists, six rebounds, three blocks and two steals in 36 minutes.
“First of all, he’s a pass-first player,” Rajaković said of Barnes. “He likes to move, to pass, he likes to find his teammates in transition. He’s scanning the floor and it really allows him with his size and his athletic ability to play over the top of the defense.”
Walter contributed 18 points and four assists in 34 minutes, while Jamal Shead, who had started the previous two contests, came off the bench.
Quickley’s plantar fasciitis lingers
Quickley will miss his fourth straight game on Sunday against the Orlando Magic as he manages plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Rajaković said the only full remedy would be two to four weeks of rest, but the guard is expected to continue rehabbing while remaining available later in the season. “We’ve just got to get him off his feet right now,” the coach noted.
Additional injury news
- Rookie big man Collin Murray-Boyles was ruled out of Sunday’s matchup due to lower-back spasms after being listed as questionable earlier in the day.
- Forward RJ Barrett is a game-time decision Sunday with left-shoulder tightness suffered Friday when Zion Williamson inadvertently lifted Barrett’s arm during a box-out. “He didn’t even know he did it. He’s a force, man,” Barrett said.
The Raptors face Orlando at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday.
Source: Hoops Rumors
