Raptors List Key Starter as Questionable vs. Hawks
The Toronto Raptors still playing it cautious with RJ Barrett this season.
The Canadian forward has been listed as questionable to play with left knee "injury management" as Toronto gets set for the second half of a back-to-back Friday against the Atlanta Hawks.
Barrett had missed three games earlier this year with a knee injury and was held out of a back-to-back against the New Orleans Pelicans on Feb. 5. He did, however, play both sides of a back-to-back earlier this month despite being listed as questionable with "injury management" against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
A blowout victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night allowed Toronto to limit Barrett's minutes to just over 29 minutes played. He appeared to be healthy while speaking to the media following the victory.
Other than Barrett, Toronto is at full strength with Jontay Porter, Javon Freeman-Liberty, and Markquis Nowell the only absentees on G League assignments.
Expect the Raptors to start Bruce Brown Jr. if Barrett is unable to go. Toronto will also likely expand the rotation adding Jordan Nwora as the last man off the bench. He and Ochai Agbaji have been vying for the final spot in the Raptors' rotation over the past few games.
For Atlanta, Onyeka Okongwu has been ruled out with a big toe sprain. Mouhamed Gueye and Trent Forrest have also been ruled out. Kobe Bufkin is questionable to play.
The Hawks should be well-rested, having not played since Feb. 14. It should give them a significant advantage over an exhausted Raptors team that didn't get into Atlanta until early Friday morning.
