RJ Barrett’s night in Boston came to an abrupt end.
The starting guard left the Toronto Raptors’ game against the home Celtics midway through the fourth quarter with a left-ankle injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
He’s undergoing further evaluation, per Sportsnet’s Danielle Michaud on the broadcast.
Barrett brought the ball up in transition and was looking to drive and spin on Boston’s Sam Hauser when he turned his left ankle and fell to the court.
The Mississauga, Ont., native yelled in pain immediately and was eventually helped up by his teammates before making his way to the locker room. He left what ended up as a 125-117 loss for the Raptors with 19 points, four rebounds and seven assists in 28 minutes of action.
Barrett has already missed 15 consecutive games this season between November and December due to a right-knee sprain. He returned on Dec. 28 and had played in six of the Raptors’ seven games since.
The 25-year-old is averaging 19.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists on a career-best 58.8 per cent true shooting through 22 games this season.
Toronto has managed its injuries well for much of the season, but the injury bug may have bitten the team in a hurry on Friday. The Raptors were already without Scottie Barnes (knee) and Brandon Ingram (knee) against the Celtics — both considered day-to-day — and also remain without starting centre Jakob Poeltl (back).
Should they lose Barrett for another extended period, it could prove costly for the now 23-16 squad. Toronto entered the night 16-6 with Barrett this season and just 7-9 without him.
