TORONTO – Scottie Barnes is simply targeted on one stat: the Toronto Raptors’ win-loss document.
However in that single-minded strategy to taking part in, Barnes continues to be placing collectively an all-star calibre season highlighted by a historic breakout efficiency in Toronto’s 141-127 time beyond regulation victory over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday. Barnes had his first triple-double of the season with 23 factors, a franchise-high 25 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Barnes’s largest rebound of the sport got here with 24.8 seconds left within the fourth quarter as Raptors wing Brandon Ingram missed a 24-foot three-pointer. Barnes tipped within the rebound to tie the sport 122-122 and pressure time beyond regulation.
“Nothing was actually going by way of my head,” mentioned Barnes on the clutch play. “I used to be simply crashing the glass and placing the ball again into the rim, simply seeing the place the ball was going, simply placing it proper again in.
“I’m simply attempting to do no matter it takes to win.”
Barnes grew to become simply the twenty third in NBA historical past to put up 23-plus factors, 25-plus rebounds and 10-plus assists in a single recreation.
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All-time nice Wilt Chamberlain was answerable for 15 of these 23 situations with Elgin Baylor (twice), Maurice Stokes, Bob Pettit, Maurice Lucas and most lately Nikola Jokic additionally undertaking the feat.
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Barnes remained modest, nevertheless, saying he was simply going on the market and taking part in the sport.
“I used to be in conditions the place I used to be in a position to rebound, assist others. I used to be simply in the fitting spots on the proper time,” mentioned Barnes, who had the triple-double earlier than regulation time expired. “I come into each recreation with that mindset. I simply wish to go on the market and make an influence and be the perfect I can on the market on the ground.
“Simply wish to attempt methods to assist us win.”
Immanuel Quickley had 27 factors and 7 assists for Toronto (19-14), whereas Brandon Ingram added 26 factors and 6 assists.
“Wonderful grit from the entire group and Scottie was main that together with his rebounding effort, main with playmaking, main with defence,” mentioned Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic. “He was actually, actually excessive degree at this time.
“It was a formidable efficiency, and I’m trying ahead to observe movie tonight once more, and having fun with that.”
Stephen Curry had a game-high 39 factors, together with 14 within the third quarter, as Golden State (16-16) noticed its three-game win streak snapped.
Regardless of his dominant scoring efficiency, Curry mentioned it was Barnes who set the sport’s tempo.
“He performs at his personal tempo,” mentioned Curry. “He’s an enormous presence on the market, and he’s a terrific playmaker, even when it’s sort of untraditional, so he takes benefit of mismatches.
“He bought them further possessions all evening, 9 offensive rebounds by himself. He was simply relentless on the boards.”
The Raptors had been with out two of their centres as Jakob Poeltl (decrease again) and Collin Murray-Boyles (sickness) had been each unavailable. Media experiences through the recreation mentioned that Toronto signed free-agent centre Mo Bamba to a one-year deal.
Within the meantime, the-six-foot-eight Barnes needed to step up as a floating centre.
“I’ve simply bought a special position. I’m taking part in the 5,” mentioned Barnes, who usually performs at ahead. “Attempting to determine alternative ways to orchestrate the offence and nonetheless be aggressive.
“Simply looking for these methods, when to display screen, when to be out of the best way, when to be within the dunker (spot), discover methods to nonetheless playmake, how I can nonetheless assault the sport and nonetheless (have) my aggression.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Dec. 28, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
