Breadcrumb Trail LinksSportsBasketballNBAToronto RaptorsTeam has consistently been without two of its premier talents and neither could return quickly. Get the latest from Ryan Wolstat straight to your inbox Sign Up Published Dec 10, 2024 • 4 minute readToronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) is tended to by a team trainer after getting hurt during second half NBA basketball action against the New York Knicks, in Toronto, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. Photo by Nathan Denette /THE CANADIAN PRESSArticle contentScottie Barnes is hurt again, Immanuel Quickley is nowhere close to a return and suddenly, a surprisingly feel-good Toronto Raptors season (considering the team has one of the worst records in the NBA) is starting to feel bad.Advertisement 2THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsDon't have an account? Create AccountorSign in without password New , a new way to loginArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentOnly three teams have fewer wins than the Raptors and adding more victories anytime soon will probably be a lot tougher without two of the club’s most gifted players.Barnes has a sprained ankle, suffered while trying to block a Karl-Anthony Towns shot during Monday’s home loss against the New York Knicks and was in a precautionary walking boot to watch practice on Tuesday.We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Play VideoHead coach Darko Rajakovic told reporters at OVO Athletic Centre that Barnes will undergo more testing with an update expected Wednesday.Ankle injuries can be tricky, but almost always require players to miss some time. Toronto is in the midst of its quietest stretch of the season this week and next because of the NBA Cup, playing just one more game this week and two next, which means it’s possible Barnes might not miss too many actual games, depending on the severity of the injury.Advertisement 3Article contentMeanwhile, Rajakovic told reporters Quickley, who only has played in three games due to two separate injuries, is progressing, but not yet able to take contact and there is no timeline for his return.Toronto has yet to field its full starting five and only has sporadically been able to start four of its preferred five. Given those facts, it wasn’t surprising that one of the themes post-game was how the team is dealing with all of the injuries and whether a “woe is me” attitude ever sets in.“I never ask that question myself,” Rajakovic said. “When injuries happen, those type of injuries, they are out of (our) control. I’m not questioning anything there, just like we’re going to go through it. We’re going to walk the walk.”Your Midday SunYour noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againArticle contentAdvertisement 4Article content“It was a tough blow,” RJ Barrett said. “We were playing so well, especially with Scottie on the floor.”Barrett scored 30 points against the Knicks while rookie Ja’Kobe Walter broke out with 19.“It’s always tough when you see one of your teammates get hurt, especially a player that has that impact for us, but you know, I think it’s just next man up,” Walter said. “All of us understood that we still got to fight because there’s still a game to be played, but always of course want (Barnes) to be playing.”The benefit of all of the misfortune at least has been so many different players getting a chance to familiarize themselves with each other on the court.“Obviously, at the beginning of the year, we had a lot of people out, including myself, so I think all of us have gotten good reps (together),” Walter said. “All of us trust each other enough to be in the game and just feel free. So I think even though people are getting hurt, we still work.”Advertisement 5Article contentBut at some point the Raptors would like to see how their “Big 3” of Barnes, Quickley and Barrett work.“We played well together last year,” Barrett said of the trio. “Haven’t played together yet this year. Just based off last year, we played well. We believe in what we can do, what we’ve kind of seen (in) little segments that we can build upon that and build it to be something really good and to be able to win a championship here.”ROOKIE THRIVES AGAINST NEW YORKWalter and Barrett connected for one of the best Raptors alley-oops in recent memory, with Barrett going way above the rim to catch what turned out to be an errant lob.“I ain’t gonna lie, it just slipped. I was trying to throw the regular lob, as soon as I threw it I didn’t think he was going to get that,” Walter explained post-game.Advertisement 6Article contentAdvertisement 7Article contentBarrett wanted to talk about Walter’s overall play, giving big props to the rookie.“Nineteen points for the rook, that’s big time. He’s very talented. He can shoot the ball. He hasn’t been making them like we know he can, but he’s just been hurt and in and out,” Barrett said. “To see him finally starting to get used to the NBA game, I think is huge for us. He plays on both sides of the ball. So it’s good to see him play well.”The Raptors landed Walter with the 19th pick of June’s draft with one of three first-round selections acquired in the Pascal Siakam trade. Another was used to add Ochai Agbaji and Kelly Olynyk from Utah last season and Toronto owns a Top-4 protected pick from Indiana in 2026.AROUND THE RIMToronto has played in many close games this season, but is an NBA-worst 2-5 in three-point games. Clutch time struggles have been a theme for the bulk of the roster. Gradey Dick had a crucial miss against the Knicks and is only 1-for-7 on three-point attempts in what the NBA defines as clutch situations. Barrett has gone just 3-for-13, but has 12 assists in those situations against only three turnovers. Quickley is missed throughout games, but particularly late in close ones.Advertisement 8Article contentRecommended from Editorial A year later, improved RJ Barrett has put his stamp on Raptors-Knicks trade Three takeaways from Raptors' third loss in a row, a homecourt nailbiter against Knicks Raptors lose thriller to visiting Knicks as Barnes leaves game with ankle sprain Article contentShare this article in your social networkComments Join the Conversation Featured Local Savings