TORONTO – Scottie Barnes’ feelings ran the gamut after being named to his second NBA All-Star Sport on Sunday.
He celebrated with a robust 14-point, nine-rebound, four-block and two-steal effort within the Toronto Raptors’ 107-100 victory in opposition to the Utah Jazz earlier than 18,749 at Scotiabank Enviornment.
The 24-year-old Barnes was relieved to flee severe damage when he was hobbled late within the Raptors outing, however couldn’t perceive why teammate Brandon Ingram was not becoming a member of him for All-Star Weekend on the Los Angeles Clippers’ dwelling on Feb. 15 in Inglewood, Calif.
“I used to be disillusioned Brandon didn’t make it,” stated Barnes, whose Raptors matched their total win complete of a yr in the past with their thirtieth on Sunday and 31 video games remaining.
“(Ingram) has accomplished a lot for us this yr. Have a look at the distinction from final yr to this yr. He has been instrumental to our success.”
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Barnes came upon he was going to his second All-Star sport throughout a timeout late within the first quarter, when it was introduced by Raptors public deal with announcer Herbie Kuhn. After accepting congratulations from his teammates, Barnes sat beside Ingram on the bench. Toronto head coach Darko Rajakovic gave each gamers a hug.
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“I actually assume they complement one another,” Rajakovic stated. “They’re completely different gamers. However, I feel, they’ve respect for one another and what they bring about to the workforce.”
Barnes is a whole participant and often will get the task of guarding the opponent’s greatest offensive participant. Ingram is a pure scorer, having averaged a team-high 21.9 factors per sport to Barnes’ 19.4.
With the sport nonetheless doubtful, it was Ingram who turned it on within the fourth quarter, scoring seven factors to seal the deal for the house workforce.
In the meantime, Barnes turned solely the sixth participant in Raptors’ historical past to earn a number of All-Star alternatives, becoming a member of Chris Bosh, Vince Carter, DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam.
“It’s by no means one factor with Scotty,” Rajakovic stated. “I feel he’s extra environment friendly, and he’s accomplished a greater job in transition. I feel he’s doing a greater job of creating performs and discovering his teammates. He’s higher in choose and rolls, working and scoring and defensively.
“He simply does all of it. He’s such a singular participant, and I feel you’re going to proceed to see progress in all these areas.”
The 6-foot-8 Barnes first look within the NBA All-Star Sport was in 2024 as an damage alternative after Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers and Julius Randle, then a ahead with the New York Knicks, suffered illnesses.
“I understand how hungry he’s and the way a lot he needs to win with this workforce,” Rajakovic stated. “I understand how a lot work he places in. So the subsequent factor for him is he’s going to be elected as a starter. I’m beginning the marketing campaign for that proper now.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Feb. 2, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press
