The Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night looking to continue their recent form. The defending champions have won four of their last five matches and face a team that has also built momentum with two wins on the bounce.
According to the official injury report, the Raptors have been handed a big assignment with the return of Scottie Barnes to the roster. Barnes missed the win over the Milwaukee Bucks due to personal reasons, which was only the second time he did not suit up all season.
Meanwhile, the Thunder are missing several players, including players like Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and Jalen Williams, with Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso both listed as questionable. However, they recorded a dominant win over the Cleveland Cavaliers last time out despite missing stars, with Holmgren running the show and finishing with 15 points and 17 rebounds.
Scotty Barnes' injury status vs. Thunder
Barnes averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.6 assists, earning his second All-Star appearance. His return gives the Raptors some much-needed optimism, especially considering the Thunder's absence.
The Raptors (34-23) didn't miss Barnes on Sunday and beat the Milwaukee Bucks 122-94 behind an impressive 32-point performance from Immanuel Quickley. However, that is unlikely to be true against a team that has gone 44-14 so far in the league.
Of course, the Raptors are missing other players as well, with a series of rotational stars on G League assignment, with Jakob Poeltl not expected to suit up either.
Raptors injury report
Jakob Poeltl: Out (lower back strain - injury management)
Chucky Hepburn: Out (G League - Two-Way)
AJ Lawson: Out (G League - Two-Way)
Elijah Martin: Out (G League - Two-Way)
Jonathan Mogbo: Out (G League - On Assignment)
thunderbolt injury report
Alex Caruso: Questionable (left ankle sprain)
Chet Holmgren: Questionable (lower back spasms)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Out (abdominal strain)
Jalen Williams: Out (strained right hamstring)
Ajay Mitchell: Out (abdominal strain/left ankle sprain)
Thomas Sorber: Out (right ACL surgical recovery)
