Toronto Raptors wing RJ Barrett has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers, the team announced.
Barrett had previously been listed as questionable in Sunday’s pre-game injury report as he ramps up his condition after being sidelined since March 11.
He has been out for personal reasons after spending time with his family following the death of his brother.
The 23-year-old spoke to the media for the first time since re-joining the team on Friday.
“I’ve had some people in my life pass, but I think this one hit a little harder for me,” Barrett said before pausing. “This one is definitely a little different, so it’s a lot tougher.
“I just think that you’ve got to push forward every day, you’ve got to be able to try to figure it out because also if I know my brother, he would want me to be here, to be playing, to try to just continue to make the Barrett legacy grow.”
The Mississauga, Ont., native joined his hometown team on Dec. 30, 2023, in a trade with the New York Knicks.
In 27 games with the Raptors, Barrett is averaging a career-high 20.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting 55.3 per cent from the field and 41.7 per cent from 3-point range.
Ochai Agbaji will sit out Sunday’s game after he suffered a right hip contusion in Wednesday’s matchup against the New York Knicks. Additionally, the Raptors will still be without Immanuel Quickley, Scottie Barnes, Chris Boucher, D.J. Carton and Jontay Porter.
Toronto sits fourth last in the Eastern Conference with a 23-50 record while the 76ers are 39-35 in their first season under former Raptors coach Nick Nurse.
