Scottie Barnes showed up in a big way Tuesday night, and not a moment too soon. After two straight games where he looked out of rhythm and out of sorts-both ending in losses for the Raptors-Barnes found his footing again, and Toronto followed suit with a convincing 112-91 win over the Miami Heat.
This wasn’t just a bounce-back for Barnes. It was a full-team response, and it came in a building that’s quickly becoming a comfort zone for the Raptors. For the second time in just over a week, a trip to South Beach seemed to bring out the best in Toronto.
Let’s break down three key takeaways from the win, starting with the man who once helped build this Raptors team from the ground up.
1. Masai Ujiri Returns to Watch His Old Team
There was a familiar face in the building Tuesday night-Masai Ujiri, the architect of the Raptors’ 2019 championship run, was back courtside at the Kaseya Center. It marked the first time he’s been publicly seen checking in on the team since his departure from the organization in June.
Ujiri, now serving as a United Nations advocate for sustainable development goals, left behind a complicated legacy in Toronto. He’ll always be remembered for the bold move to acquire Kawhi Leonard, a trade that ultimately delivered the Raptors their first NBA title. That 2019 squad remains the high-water mark in franchise history, and Ujiri’s fingerprints were all over it.
But the last few years of his tenure were marked by stagnation and questionable roster decisions. Some around the league had speculated that a split might’ve been due even earlier. Regardless, Ujiri’s presence Tuesday night was a reminder of both the heights the franchise once reached and the challenges that still lie ahead.
Bobby Webster, now steering the ship as general manager, will have to address some of the roster imbalances that have lingered since Ujiri’s final seasons. Tuesday’s win was a step in the right direction, but the Raptors still have work to do if they want to be more than just a middle-of-the-pack team.
Also worth noting: Ujiri got a look at Norman Powell in a Heat uniform. Powell, one of Ujiri’s better finds during his Toronto tenure, was flipped to Portland in a deal that brought back Gary Trent Jr.-a trade that hasn’t aged particularly well for the Raptors.
2. Scottie Barnes Finds His Groove Again
Barnes didn’t get off to the cleanest start against Miami. His first few possessions were shaky, and it looked like the struggles from his previous two outings might carry over. But then something clicked.
Once he settled in, Barnes attacked with purpose. He hunted mismatches near the rim, forced the Heat into tough defensive rotations, and got himself to the line with a physical, aggressive approach.
The highlight of the night? A thunderous left-handed dunk that punctuated his return to form and sent a clear message-he was done playing passive.
This version of Barnes is the one the Raptors need if they’re going to stay in the playoff mix. When he plays downhill, when he embraces contact and puts pressure on the defense, everything opens up. His energy was contagious, and it helped set the tone for a Raptors team that looked far more connected than it had in recent games.
3. Raptors Handle Business-Again-Against the Heat
Let’s be honest: this isn’t the same Miami team that made deep playoff runs in recent years. Tuesday’s loss was their eighth in nine games, and they’re clearly in a funk. But that doesn’t take away from what the Raptors accomplished.
Toronto came into this one licking its wounds after a rough home loss to Boston and a deflating defeat in Brooklyn. They needed a response, and they got it-on both ends of the floor. The Raptors defended with intensity, moved the ball with purpose, and looked like a group that had something to prove.
Yes, Miami is struggling. But for a Raptors team still trying to find its identity post-Ujiri, these wins matter.
They build confidence. They reinforce habits.
And they show what this roster can do when it plays to its strengths.
Now at 18-13, Toronto is very much in the thick of the Eastern Conference race. The season’s far from over, and consistency remains the biggest challenge. But Tuesday night was a reminder of what this team is capable of when it locks in-especially when Barnes is leading the charge.
Bottom Line:
Scottie Barnes looked like himself again, and the Raptors looked like a team that still has something to say in the East. With Masai Ujiri watching from the stands, it was a performance that served as both a nod to the past and a glimpse of what the future might hold-if Toronto can keep building on nights like this.