After getting wins in both ends of a back-to-back set, Barnes and the Raptors will continue to move up in the standings if they can stay healthy.
Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors captured a 122-109 win Wednesday night against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Barnes was an effective all-around contributor for the Raptors in Sacramento, adding 23 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and four steals.
After falling to the Los Angeles Lakers to begin their five-game road trip, the Raptors have acquired wins on both ends of a back-to-back to end their California trip. With injuries to RJ Barrett (ankle), Jakob Poeltl (back), and Collin Murray-Boyles (thumb), the workload falls much onto Barnes, who has proven night in and night out that he is up for the challenge.
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) | © Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Postgame, Barnes was interviewed on the court by Kayla Grey with The Shift Sports.
“I’m just playing the game the right way, getting downhill, being aggressive,” said Barnes. “Getting downhill, it just creates everything. Creates everything for my teammates, running in transition. Got me running out there like a gazelle, legs [expletive] hurt.”
A laughing Barnes was honest after giving his all in the third game in four days. His efforts appear in the stats as well, as the Raptors outscored the Kings in fastbreak points 22-12. Going further, Toronto had 5 more steals than Sacramento, which resulted in a 25-8 difference in points off turnovers.
Although he was not voted to be a starter in this year’s All-Star game, it would be shocking to see him avoid a selection to be a reserve. Through 45 games, he is averaging 19.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks on 50.4% shooting.
The former No. 4 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft is ranked 11th in the All-Star Voting overall. He received a weighted score of 11.75 after being ranked 10th by the media, 12th by the fans, and 13th by the players. In 10th place with a weighted score of 10.25 is his teammate, Brandon Ingram. The former No. 2 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft was voted seventh by the players and eighth by both the media and fans.
Toronto Raptors forwards Brandon Ingram (3) and Scottie Barnes (4) | © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
As the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Raptors possess two All-Stars. Not to mention, both players have already made an All-Star appearance in their careers, so it surely wouldn’t be groundbreaking for either to be selected.
With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, it’s essential for the Raptors to continue to win to avoid any major trades happening in the next two weeks. Immanuel Quickley is surely making a case to stay; in his last two games, he has totaled 58 points, 18 assists, eight rebounds, and four steals on 17-for-25 shooting, 8-for-12 from three-point range, and 16-for-16 from the free throw line.