The Toronto Raptors dropped their second straight game on Friday night, falling 130-120 to the Orlando Magic. The loss nudged them down to the No. 5 spot in the Eastern Conference standings at 29-21, just behind the surging Cleveland Cavaliers. But even in defeat, the Raptors gave fans a moment to remember - and it came courtesy of Scottie Barnes.
Right before the halftime buzzer, Barnes pulled off one of the most electric plays of the night. After securing a rebound off a missed Magic shot, he wasted no time.
With his eyes already scanning the floor, Barnes launched a full-court dime to a streaking Ja’Kobe Walter, who caught it in stride and flipped in a smooth layup just as the clock expired. It was a flash of brilliance - the kind of play that reminds you why Barnes is at the heart of everything Toronto is building.
While the Raptors came up short on the scoreboard, this season has been a different story. After missing the playoffs the past four years, Toronto is firmly in the mix for home-court advantage in the first round. And if they get there, Barnes will be a major reason why.
Now in his third NBA season, the 2021 No. 4 overall pick is taking another leap - and he's making a strong case for his second All-Star nod. He already earned his first selection in the 2023-24 campaign, and if his performance against Orlando is any indication, he’s not slowing down.
Barnes finished the night with 19 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and four blocks in 36 minutes. He shot an efficient 7-of-14 from the field and hit five of his seven free throws.
Scottie Barnes with a WILD outlet pass before the buzzer 🚨
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Those numbers are right in line with what he’s been doing all season. Through 48 games, Barnes is averaging 19.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game.
He’s shooting just under 50 percent from the field and nearly 83 percent from the free-throw line - a testament to his improved efficiency and all-around game. The three-point shot is still a work in progress at 31.1 percent, but his impact on both ends of the floor continues to grow.
Toronto’s recent skid is something they’ll need to address quickly in a tightly packed Eastern Conference race. But big picture?
The Raptors are trending in the right direction. And with Barnes playing at this level - quarterbacking fast breaks, anchoring the defense, and stuffing the stat sheet - they’ve got a rising star who’s already starting to look like the franchise cornerstone they hoped for when they drafted him.