Raptors expect star rookie Barnes to play in Game 4

Down 3-0 in their series against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Toronto Raptors are expecting to have star rookie Scottie Barnes back for Saturday's must-win Game 4.

“We’ll have Scottie back on Saturday and another weapon to use,” Raptors head coach Nick Nurse said after Wednesday's overtime loss in Game 3.

Nurse: “We’ll have Scottie back on Saturday and another weapon to use.” Even with the Raptors down 3-0, sure sounds like the plan is for Barnes to play in Game 4.

Barnes has missed the previous two games with a sprained left ankle, but did take part in the team's shootaround ahead of Game 3. 

The 20-year-old was having an excellent playoff debut in Game 1, with 15 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, before the Sixers' 280-pound centre Joel Embiid stepped on his foot, sending him sprawling to the floor in agony with about nine minutes left to play.

He met with the media Monday wearing a walking boot on his left foot and also had it on while watching Game 2 from the sidelines.

“I thought it was going to be bad," Barnes said of the injury Monday. "I hit the ground and I was like, damn, it’s just the beginning and I’m just getting started. But after I was just trying to have positive thoughts.”

A rookie of the year finalist, Barnes averaged 15.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in 74 games during the regular season with the Raptors.