Raptors' Boucher available to make season debut; Barnes ruled out
Published
Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher is available to make his season debut Monday night in Miami against the Heat, the team announced.
Head coach Nick Nurse told reporters Saturday that the club did expect Boucher would be available to return Monday.
Reigning rookie of the year winner Scottie Barnes was ruled out after suffering a right ankle sprain in Saturday's loss to the Heat. X-rays were negative after the game and Barnes was scheduled to be evaluated on Sunday.
TSN's Josh Lewenberg tweets that Barnes' initial questionable tag indicated his injury isn't as severe as initially feared.
Boucher, 29, appeared in three preseason games before going down with a hamstring injury. He is entering his fifth season with the Raptors, having averaged 9.4 points per game and 6.2 rebounds in 80 contests last season.
The Raptors head into Monday's matchup at 1-2 on the season and are coming off two straight losses to the Brooklyn Nets and Heat last week.