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NBA Rookie Ladder Week 5: Injuries at the top muddle the race

By Corey Rausch

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 5: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is guarded by Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on November 5, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, NOTE TO USER: User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 5: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is guarded by Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on November 5, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, NOTE TO USER: User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /
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NBA Rookie Ladder
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 21: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors looks on after picking up his second foul against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on November 21, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

NBA Rookie Ladder Week 5: 2. Scottie Barnes

Previous: 2nd. Scottie Barnes. 2. player. 81. .

14.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals

Shooting splits: .480/.250/.720

Scottie Barnes has to be loving the idea that Evan Mobley has opened the door up for him to gain some ground back. He has been a two-way dynamo for a team expecting to compete for a playoff spot.

The team must be thankful that they can rely on him as a scorer, as he is already significantly more efficient than expected. His responsibilities (and opportunities) to score have diminished since the return of Pascal Siakam, but he is still thriving on the glass.

If the team can find a way to better assimilate the offense around all of their players, he will be able to gain ground on the current front-runner while he is out of the lineup.

NBA Rookie Ladder Week 5: 1. Evan Mobley

. Previous: 1st. Evan Mobley. 1. player. 156.

14.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.6 blocks, 1.0 steals

Shooting splits: .494/.308/.771

For the time being, Evan Mobley remains atop the NBA Rookie Ladder, and the Cleveland Cavaliers have to be thankful that his injury will not keep the phenom amongst NBA rookies out of the lineup for an extended period of time.

The sprained elbow he suffered will keep him out for 2-4 weeks, the first of which just passed. There is no rush to bring him back at this point, save for keeping him in the race for Rookie of the Year honors. The real losers of the injury situation are those who have booted up League Pass to enjoy his brilliance.

Next. NBA Power Rankings Week 5. dark