Let’s look back at Scottie Barnes’ season

The Raptors were a team of questions this year, and while it might be hard to answer every single one, it’s a good bet that a right answer might start and end with Scottie Barnes. Who was the team’s best player? Scottie Barnes. Who anchored them defensively? Scottie Barnes. Who stepped up when things looked ugly? Scottie Barnes. Who’s an NBA All-Star? Scottie Barnes. And who looks like the Raptors’ future? Well, that would be Scott Wayne Barnes Jr.

Scottie has emerged as a bona-fide star, as a playoff riser; a figure who the team can rally behind, and who brings a combination of size, defense, and playmaking that has been exceedingly rare throughout the history of the NBA. The man delivered two playoff triple doubles of points and assists, while providing 6 stocks in a do-or-die game 6. Scottie was one of the few reasons the Raptors were able to hold the line against star-stacked Cleveland this postseason, and with that level of production on display, one can only imagine Barnes’ next leap could come sooner than later.

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Barnes’ scoring dipped only marginally, with no real change to his assist or rebounding numbers, though he was able to grab an extra half a block every game. Scottie became the clear number-two scoring option behind Brandon Ingram for most of the season, and in exchange, has become hailed as one of the league’s premier two-way players, gaining increased media attention after his playoff heroics.

Apr 26, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) celebrates with fans after a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images | Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Some defining moments stand out for Barnes this year. His naming to the All-Star team, snubbing for DPOY finalist, and his tying of the Raptors single game rebounding record with 25 boards, to name a few. But nothing stood out to me more than the run with Immanuel Quickley out, where Scottie Barnes slotted in as the Raptors’ point guard. The Raptors had six straight games of Scottie Barnes double…

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Publish date : 2026-05-14 11:00:00

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