Toronto Raptors' Scottie Barnes

11/21/2024 05:58 PM

Raptors fans may rejoice.

Franchise star Scottie Barnes is set to return from an 11-game absence on Thursday at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team announced.

Toronto head coach Darko Rajakovic told reporters pre-game that the All-Star forward would be on a minutes restriction in his first game back.

Barnes suffered an orbital fracture in a loss to the Denver Nuggets after taking an inadvertent elbow from league MVP Nikola Jokic nearly three weeks ago.

The 23-year-old averaged 19.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists through four appearances prior to the injury. Getting Barnes back in the lineup is the first step in getting a clear picture of what this Raptors’ squad can be. The trio of Barnes, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley have yet to play a game together this season.

Barrett dealt with a shoulder injury suffered in pre-season and subsequently missed the first three games of the regular season. Quickley has missed all but three games due to a pelvic contusion and partial ligament tear in his elbow.

Ja’Kobe Walter will also make his return to the Raptors’ lineup against Minnesota, the team announced pre-game. The rookie was listed as a game-time decision heading into the contest after missing six games with a right shoulder injury.

It’s been an injury-filled first campaign for Walter thus far, playing in just four games due to injuries. The 19th overall pick in the 2024 Draft missed all of training camp and pre-season with an AC joint sprain and then re-injured the same shoulder less than a month later in a loss to the Sacramento Kings.

Walter has averaged 2.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 12.3 minutes a game.

The Raptors (3-12), with fresh reinforcements, look to win back-to-back games for just the first time this season when taking on the Timberwolves.