Raptors’ Scottie Barnes speaks up on injury after NBA Playoff exit vs. Cavs

There was much concern surrounding Scottie Barnes following the Toronto Raptors’ 125-120 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of their first-round series back on Thursday. Barnes had suffered a quad injury, but he did downplay the severity of that knock and took on his usual workload in Games 6 and 7.

The 24-year-old forward would want to fight through injury if it meant seeing the Raptors advance to the next round of the 2026 NBA playoffs, but their season came to an end on Sunday in a 114-102 loss to the Cavs in Game 7.

Barnes was excellent all series, averaging 24.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 8.6 assists, emerging as the Raptors’ unquestioned best player especially amid Brandon Ingram’s series-long struggles and his ensuing injury. He was a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the floor, as he shot efficiently from the field (51/38/80 splits) while defending the likes of James Harden and Evan Mobley.

After their Game 7 loss, Barnes spoke up regarding his injury and said that there truly was nothing to worry about regarding his quad.

“I wasn’t really worried about it. It really only hurt that one game. I could still feel the pain, it wasn’t nun’ I was really really worried about. I think my body recovers fast. I wasn’t really worried if it was going to affect me,” Barnes said, via Omer Osman of Raptors Updates on X.

Scottie Barnes on the severity of his leg injury:

“I wasn’t really worried about it. It really only hurt that one game. I could still feel the pain, it wasn’t nun’ I was really really worried about. I think my body recovers fast. I wasn’t really worried if it was going to affect… https://t.co/l6fmv2JSQc pic.twitter.com/T6Ic0PIUGT

— Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) May 4, 2026

Barnes still has youthful legs, and in the playoffs, a little knock like that is never going to be enough to keep someone out of action. If this were the regular season, perhaps he would sit out a game or two, but every game is important in the playoffs and Barnes was the beating heart of the Raptors’ chance of upsetting the Cavs.

Considering that he won’t be turning 25 until August, Barnes has such a bright future ahead of him, although staying healthy will be of paramount importance.

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