The Toronto Raptors are dealing with another injury scare that will likely continue into the regular season.

Raptors small forward RJ Barrett suffered a sprain of his right acromioclavicular (AC) joint during the season-opening game against the Washington Wizards, the team announced Tuesday. He will miss at least the remaining four preseason games for the Raptors.

Barrett hurt himself trying to navigate a screen set by Washington big man Jonas Valančiūnas, who was called for an offensive foul on the play. Barrett stayed in the game briefly, but retired before the second quarter was over after scoring a team-high 17 points in 14 minutes.

The Raptors open the regular season on Oct. 23 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, a game that will take place 17 days after Barrett’s injury occurred. It hurts the Raptors’ depth, which was already declining. Bruce Brown underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee about two weeks ago. He is expected to be re-evaluated in a week, but is unlikely to be available for the regular season. Brown would have been an obvious candidate to replace Barrett. Additionally, rookie swingman Ja’Kobe Walter suffered the same injury as Barrett just before training camp started. There is no timetable for his return, but he did not participate in on-field activities at the Raptors camp in Montreal last week.

Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley also missed training camp due to a personal issue and a thumb injury, respectively. Both are expected to play sometime in the preseason.

The absence means Ochai Agbaji will most likely start in Barrett’s place, although the Raptors could go small with Davion Mitchell or bigger with Kelly Olynyk or Chris Boucher.

After being traded to his hometown team in late 2023, Barrett played some of the best basketball of his career to close out last season. He averaged 21.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 32 games for the Raptors, posting career-best marks across a range of advanced metrics. If healthy, he is expected to take on a bigger defensive role for the Raptors this year, defending some of the league’s better wings.

The team is expected to start Quickley, Barnes, Gradey Dick and Jakob Poeltl.

(Photo: Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)