Raptors' Barnes returns in win vs. T-Wolves after 11-game absence
Raptors forward Scottie Barnes was in the starting lineup Thursday for Toronto's 110-105 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves after missing 11 games with a right orbital fracture.
Barnes played just 27 minutes - he was on a minutes restriction - and collected 17 points in that time. RJ Barrett, meanwhile, dropped a game-high 31 to go along with seven rebounds.
A 13-1 run in the fourth quarter of Thursday's contest catapulted the Raptors to their 20th consecutive win against the T-Wolves in Toronto.
Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 26 points on 9-of-20 shooting from the field, and Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels added 23 and 22 points, respectively.
Raptors rookie Ja'Kobe Walter also made his return to the lineup for the first time in six contests after recovering from a shoulder injury, but he didn't see any game time.
The Raptors have been hit hard by the injury bug. Barnes, Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley have yet to play in a game together, while forward Kelly Olynyk hasn't been available at all this season as he recovers from a back injury.
After winning their second consecutive game, the Raptors sit 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 4-12 record. The Timberwolves fall to 8-7 on the season and are 10th in the West.
The Raptors will travel to Cleveland to face the top-ranked Cavaliers on Sunday. Minnesota will finish their two-game road trip with a contest against the Boston Celtics on Sunday afternoon.