Raptors Reveal Results of Further Testing for Scottie Barnes

The Toronto Raptors say Scottie Barnes will not need surgery to repair his fractured right orbital bone

Oct 28, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) drives to the net against Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images / John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

It's good news for Scottie Barnes.

Further testing on Barnes' fractured right orbital bone has determined surgery will not be necessary, Raptors coach Darko Rajaković told reporters in Denver on Monday night.

Scottie Barnes (orbital bone) met with doctors today. Will not require surgery. Will be re-evaluated in two weeks. IQ and the other outs remain out vs. Nuggets.

— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) November 5, 2024

Barnes suffered the fracture when he was inadvertently hit in the face by Nikola Jokic who was trying to corral a rebound when his elbow connected with Barnes' right eye. Barnes immediately left the game in pain before being ruled out.

The injury occurred a week ago and Barnes is expected to need at least two more weeks before he'll be reevaluated by team medical personnel. Toronto needed to wait for the swelling to dissipate before determining its next steps.

Avoiding surgery should allow Barnes to return to full strength sooner rather than later. It remains unclear exactly how long he'll need before he returns. He'll be out through the middle of November and miss at least seven more games for the Raptors.

Toronto will once again be without Immanuel Quickley on Monday night as he continues to tend to a pelvic bruise he suffered in the season opener. He too remains without a timetable for a return although he is not expected to be too far away.

The Raptors will also be without Kelly Olynyk and Bruce Brown who have been out since the start of the season and do not have a timeline to return.

Ochai Agbaji will continue to fill in for Barnes in the starting lineup with Davion Mitchell sliding into spot vacated by Quickley.