Raptors: 3 players who could shine without Scottie Barnes

The Toronto Raptors went on a 3-game winning streak after a slow 1-3 start to the season, but thanks to some sensational performances from rookie stud Scottie Barnes, the ship started to steady. However, before their matchup against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, Barnes suffered his first major NBA injury.

Barnes is dealing with a strained thumb that both sidelined him against the Knicks and could help him out for the next few games. While the Raptors used a tremendous shooting performance in the third quarter to take down the Knicks and pick up the win, that may not have quelled the long-term concerns about this lineup without Barnes in the fold.

The Raptors unveiled a new-look lineup without Barnes, and while they might be as defensively intimidating as they would be with the Florida State product, the lineup gave some players more opportunities to contribute. After just one game, they passed their first test with flying colors.

With Barnes likely on the mend for the next few games, these 3 Toronto Raptors players could build off of their performance against the Knicks and end up shining with a bit more free reign on both sides of the ball. Toronto is clearly better with him on the floor, but they’ll need others to step up without him.

3 Toronto Raptors could step up if Scottie Barnes misses time.

3. Svi Mykhailiuk

Mykhailiuk was inserted into the starting lineup, as Nick Nurse wanted to make sure that his ability to stroke it from deep was on full display. After a strong game against the Pacers, all Mykhailiuk did was score 15 points on 5-7 shooting with five assists, five rebounds, and two steals.

If there’s one thing that anyone could take issue with regarding Barnes, it’s his ability to shoot from beyond the 3-point line. With Mykhailiuk making 56% of his overall shots and 43.5% of his 3-pointers, he could be the perfect tertiary gunner in this starting lineup while Barnes recuperates.

Toronto Raptors guard Svi Mykhailiuk will get shots without Scottie Barnes.

While he hasn’t been the best defensive player in the world, Mykhailiuk is starting to prove that his production in Detroit and Oklahoma City was not just the result of getting tons of shots up on a lousy team. He’s a legit NBA role player, and he’ll get chances to inflate his scoring numbers.

Mykhailiuk might be on the fringe of the rotation, and the impending return of Yuta Watanabe might end up squeezing him out. However, if he keeps shooting like this and gradually improving on the defensive end, Nurse might have no choice but to keep running him out there.