Scottie Barnes Cleared for Monday, Saving Raptors Fans and Fantasy Rosters Alike
Underdog NBA reported: 'Scottie Barnes (hip) available to play Monday.'
The NBA injury report is basically a random number generator at this point in the season, but Underdog NBA just dropped the green light for the Toronto Raptors' franchise guy. Scottie Barnes is officially available to play Monday against the LA Clippers after dealing with a hip issue.
Getting Barnes back is the difference between watching a functional basketball team and watching a pickup game where nobody knows who is supposed to shoot. He has been carrying the Toronto offense this season like a guy trying to bring all the groceries inside on one trip.
The numbers back up the heavy lifting. Barnes is averaging 24.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game while shooting nearly 48 percent from the floor. He already dropped a 41-point nuke earlier this season, proving he can completely take over a game when he is fully dialed in.
For anyone holding Barnes in fantasy or eyeing his points props, this update is massive. You never want to blindly trust a guy coming off a hip issue, but his sheer volume makes him a threat to break a slate every time he steps on the court.
The guy has had a wild medical chart over the last year, featuring everything from an orbital fracture to a hand injury. Getting a simple hip issue cleared feels like a minor miracle for a player who spends half his time crashing into the paint like a guy who forgot where the brakes are.
With Barnes back in the mix for Monday night, the Clippers have to completely tear up their defensive game plan. Expect him to test that hip early, and if he looks explosive in the first quarter, Toronto is going to feed him until the wheels fall off.