The Toronto Raptors announced Monday afternoon that Scottie Barnes is questionable for tonight’s match-up with the Los Angeles Clippers. Barnes is reportedly dealing with left hip soreness and tightness.
On the second night of a back-to-back, the Raptors are also without Kawhi Leonard (knee), Nate Bittle (foot), and Malachi Smith (two-way). Jakob Poeltl is also questionable after being a late scratch against the Los Angeles Lakers last night. Poeltl is dealing with left shoulder bursitis.
The Clippers, who lost their first leg of a back-to-back last night against the Golden State Warriors, have a bevy of injuries to report as well. Derrick Jones Jr (knee) and Rui Hachimura have been ruled out for Monday’s contest. They join former Raptor, Brandon Ingram (Achilles), Bradley Beal (knee), Yanic Konan Niederhauser (foot), and Jordan Miller (shoulder) on the Clippers injury report. Max Strus will make his season debut after missing time with a plantar fascia injury.
Los Angeles is just 1-5 on the season and currently have the 26th ranked offense, and 18th ranked defense. Darius Garland has been their top scorer this season, averaging 20.8 points per game, no other Clipper is scoring more than 13.4 points a night.
Even without Barnes, Leonard, and Poeltl, the Raptors should take care of tonight’s match-up. Jamal Shead and Ja’Kobe Walter will make life difficult for Garland, and while Brook Lopez will be a lot to contain, a combination of Trayce Jackson-Davis and Collin Murray-Boyles should be able to get the job done. Besides, if Lopez beats you in 2026, well, you probably deserved to lose. On offense, Barrett has shown that he’s infinitely scalable as a scorer, and Quickley can catch fire on any given night.
Monday night’s match-up tips off at 10pm ET. Updates to the injury report will be posted here as they come.
