Scottie Barnes has had a rough go this season. After missing 11 games earlier because of a right orbital fracture, he returned on Nov. 21, sporting protective glasses. The Toronto Raptors struggled without him, going 2-9 in his absence. Unfortunately, just when it seemed like Barnes was getting back on track, disaster struck again.

During a matchup between the Raptors and New York Knicks, Barnes collided awkwardly with an already-injured Karl-Anthony Towns. It looked like a brutal lower-body injury, potentially to his right ankle or foot. Barnes’ grim words—“I can’t feel my foot,” repeated three times—sent a chill through the arena. That’s never something you want to hear. Things only got worse as the support staff helped Barnes off the court and took him to the locker room.

And he won’t be returning for the rest of the match.

Watching a player like Scottie Barnes, who’s been fighting to get back on his feet this season, go down again is rough. It’s unclear how serious the injury is, but anytime a player can’t feel their foot, you know it’s not good. Numbness or tingling, especially in the legs, can indicate nerve damage. This could be another long road to recovery for Barnes, and an enormous setback for the Raptors as they try to get back on track.

Fans started pouring in wishes on X for the 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year.

Fans hope Scottie Barnes recovers as quickly as possible

The fans reacted, “Please don’t be serious *praying hands*” perfectly captures the collective anxiety surrounding Scottie Barnes’ injury. His absence had been felt deeply, with the team managing only two wins in the 11 games he missed. The Raptors’ struggles without him were obvious, and his return brought much-needed hope. Now, with another injury, fans are understandably worried.

Another fan wrote, “Prayers Up *praying hands*”. The severity of the injury is unknown, but when the possibility of nerve damage is on the table, fans find solace in offering their prayers. It’s a way to channel their hope and good intentions toward Barnes’ recovery, as they all hold their breath, waiting for news on his condition.

The injury bug claims another victim. “So many stars setting hurt man,” wrote another user. This reflects a broader concern about the wave of injuries hitting key NBA players this season. It seems like every week, a new superstar is going down—whether it’s injuries to LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, or now Scottie Barnes. Injuries have plagued some of the league’s biggest names, and it’s becoming increasingly frustrating for fans. When top players get sidelined, they not only affect their teams but also impact the entire league.

“Bro is literally cursed,” claimed a netizen. This reaction is understandable, given Barnes’ injury history. Just recently, Barnes was sidelined with a right orbital fracture after taking a hard elbow from Nikola Jokic during a game in late October. Adding to this streak of misfortune, Barnes has dealt with other injuries in his career, including minor ailments that have delayed his full potential.

He was balling during the game, leaving this fan even more upset. “That’s not good. He was rolling too,” the fan wrote. He had a strong outing in just 23 minutes of action against the Knicks, putting up 15 points and grabbing 5 boards. This kind of performance was crucial for the Raptors, especially as they struggled with injuries and found consistent play.

Barnes underwent X-rays, which came back clean. However, the team cannot determine the full extent of the damage until he undergoes an MRI and additional tests. We hope Barnes recovers quickly from this setback.