Scottie Barnes Upgraded to Probable Against Clippers After Hip Scare
Underdog NBA reported: 'Scottie Barnes (hip) upgraded to probable Monday.'
has officially been upgraded to probable for Monday night against the , meaning fans can safely exhale for at least the next few hours. Dealing with left hip soreness, the franchise cornerstone looks ready to suit up for the second leg of a back-to-back.
When he is actually on the floor, has been an absolute monster this season. He is stuffing the stat sheet to the tune of 24.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. That kind of production is exactly why backed up the Brinks truck for his five-year extension.
But keeping him on the floor has been a full-time job for the medical staff. Over the last couple of seasons, has suffered an orbital bone fracture, a broken hand, ankle sprains, and knee tendinitis. His injury history reads less like a scouting report and more like a WebMD symptom checker.
For anyone eyeing the Monday night slate, this probable tag is the skeleton key to the matchup. completely swings the offensive geometry for , and his presence drastically alters the game lines against a tough Clippers squad.
If the hip tightens up and he ends up in street clothes, the rotation gets incredibly thin. Head coach Darko Rajakovic would have to lean heavily on guys like and to soak up the massive usage void.
Fortunately, a probable tag usually means a green light in the modern NBA. Assuming he gets through pregame warmups without any lingering tightness, expect to be out there carrying the load for once again.