Third-year Raptors forward Scottie Barnes exited Friday’s preseason finale against the Wizards with a sprained right foot and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest, tweets Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca.
The former Rookie of the Year appeared to roll his ankle/foot on a non-contact play, as Esfandiar Baraheni of SDPN relays (Twitter video link). However, after the game, Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic downplayed the injury, telling reporters that Barnes is “completely fine,” per Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca (Twitter link).
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- After missing most of last season due to a foot injury, Raptors forward Otto Porter Jr. returned to action on Friday, playing for the first time since November 14, notes Lewenberg (Twitter link). As Murphy tweets, Rajakovic is enthusiastic about Porter’s fit on the roster, but said the team will be “careful” about how it uses him following his extended layoff, prioritizing his long-term health.
- Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer (subscription required) suggests that the Bulls and Heat could be potential trade partners for the Sixers if their James Harden negotiations with the Clippers remain at an impasse. However, Pompey isn’t citing any sources saying that Chicago or Miami is actually talking to Philadelphia, so it sounds more like speculation than anything solid. Harden remained away from the 76ers on Friday and missed the preseason finale due to what the club is calling a personal matter.
- Patrick Beverley, who joined the Sixers as a free agent this summer, has taken on a familiar role of veteran leader and defensive spark-plug, Pompey writes in another article for The Inquirer. Beverley’s leadership has impressed his new head coach. “He’s putting in a tremendous amount of work pre- and post-practice,” Nick Nurse said. “He really, really does a good job of organizing, and that’s important. We need a veteran guy that can get us organized, settled down, and all those kinds of things and then he’s a got a little bit on the other end, too.”
- In a mailbag for NBC Sports Boston, Chris Forsberg considers what the Celtics‘ regular season rotation might look like, evaluating which players beyond the team’s top eight might emerge as reliable contributors.
Rory Maher contributed to this post.
After playing with Beverly this season, it’s so mentally exhausting that Joel will ask for a trade
Why would any writer think any team would have any interest in Harden???
Because unlike you lupus who obviously doesn’t follow this particular sport, the writer understands there is value in a player who averaged a double double and led the league in helpers.
Of course he led the league in helpers.. he holds the ball until the waning seconds of the shot clock
thems be grenades.
Agreed. Couldn’t give Harden to the Bulls for free. Bulls already have two high volume shot takers. Bulls are trying to establish a ‘team first’ culture.
Will the 76ers look better, play better & win more games with Maxey in and The Beard out? Whatever mentality is driving Harden now must be hard to live with.
I hate Harden but no lol
No
Give Tyrese Maxey a chance to become a star? A new young star? A different style of play. Less ball dominant. More ball movement (which I hope my Celtics will do.) But maybe it will wear the team down. One less star to carry the team, do the scoring, handle the work. I’m going to watch the 76ers along w my Celts since it’s my grandson’s team.