TORONTO – Finally, R.J. Barrett returned to the Toronto Raptors' starting lineup despite being on a minutes restriction.
Barrett, from Mississauga, Ont., had 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists as Toronto beat the Golden State Warriors for a 141-127 overtime win on Sunday. Barrett played 24 minutes after missing five weeks of the season in Toronto with a sprained right knee.
“It’s frustrating, very frustrating,” Barrett said of his lingering injury. “My dad (Canadian men's national team general manager Rowan Barrett) told me that everything happens for a reason, so I'm just trying to stay positive through it all.
“But it was nice to play tonight and help the team win.”
Barrett was averaging 19.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists when he landed awkwardly after dunking against the Brooklyn Nets on November 23. The non-contact injury didn't resolve as quickly as Barrett or the Raptors coaching staff expected, so he received a platelet-rich plasma injection to speed up his recovery.
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“After I did that, I felt a lot better, started moving more, running a little,” Barrett said. “Just every day, constantly, every day in rehab.
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“I want to thank the staff, they really helped me a lot, especially I think in those first couple of weeks.”
When healthy, the six-foot-six shooting guard/small forward played a key role in Toronto's offense, cutting to the net for offensive rebounds or when Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram pulled double teams from opposing defenses.
Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic called Barrett a “stabilizing force” after Sunday's win.
“He plays a lot in attack and we need him to step up in defense as well,” Rajakovic said. “I know it will take him a little time to settle in and find his rhythm, but when he is right, physically and mentally, he is an outstanding player for us.
“I'm just glad he was able to come back even though he was on a minute restriction tonight and played 24 minutes. I think he helped us a lot.”
While Barrett was visibly tired during his first shift on the court against the Warriors, he also clearly worked on his cardio during his time on the bench, riding an exercise bike in the players' tunnel.
Centers Jakob Poeltl (lower back) and Collin Murray-Boyles (illness) missed the game. The Raptors said they will have more information on Poeltl's condition before Monday's game against the visiting Orlando Magic.
The undisclosed Murray-Boyles illness appears to be the illness circulating around the team.
“We carry vitamin C and zinc and hand sanitizer everywhere and we're trying to do everything we can to stop the spread of it,” Rajakovic said of the illness before the game. “We have guys that are in bad condition and trying to get through games, and they will be there in a huddle, and we will all be in a huddle.
“I think the most important thing is to make sure we get proper sleep and proper nutrition, maybe we should start with those things.”
Poeltl is averaging 9.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists as Toronto's starting center. Murray-Boyles is averaging seven points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in his rookie season.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 28, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
