Nick Nurse explains what Raptors lose in injured rookie Scottie Barnes
As the Philadelphia 76ers and the Toronto Raptors prepare to continue their Round 1 series with Game 2 on Monday, the Raptors have to go into battle knowing they will be without prized rookie Scottie Barnes.
Barnes suffered an ankle sprain in Philadelphia’s Game 1 victory and he is officially out for Game 2. Barnes had 15 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists on Saturday while also providing defensive versatility as a player who can defend multiple positions.
At shootaround on Monday, Raptors coach Nick Nurse explained what the Raptors will be missing when without Barnes in this matchup.
“He brings us, offensively, a bit of ball-handling and point guard abilities, scoring at the rim, put back abilities, and he’s a versatile defender,” Nurse told reporters. “So that may put us into a lot more coverages and things on defense rather than having so much flexibility to switch, etc. Those would be the things.”
Considering the game Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey had in the series opener, Barnes would have been a candidate to defend him as Toronto looks to make their adjustments. The Raptors will certainly scrap and they will play with some usual desperation of a team down in a playoff series, but this will be a big loss for them.
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