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The Raptors' profile has risen with each win, but is it enough to sway coaches to select Toronto teammates as all-star reserves?
Published Jan 22, 2026 • 4 minute read
Brandon Ingram of the Toronto Raptors celebrates a three-point basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers with teammates Scottie Barnes #4 and Jamal Shead.
Brandon Ingram of the Toronto Raptors celebrates a three-point basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers with teammates Scottie Barnes (left) and Jamal Shead. Getty Images
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In the days leading up to the NBA’s trade deadline, the league will announce its reserves for this year’s all-star game to be staged at Steve Ballmer’s fan-friendly and state-of-the-art Intuit Dome.
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Depending on where you sit on the fence, the Raptors should be hellbent to add a player before the trade clock expires on Feb. 5.
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Those pining for any kind of an upgrade will look at the Eastern Conference landscape and quickly see an opportunity to pounce on an opportunity that may not exist beyond this season.
Detroit has been the front-runners, while Boston recently has usurped the New York Knicks, who have struggled since capturing the NBA Cup.
Cleveland seems to be emerging, while the Philadelphia 76ers remain a wild card not knowing when or how many minutes Joel Embiid is capable of providing.
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Orlando has underachieved, but has a roster that is more than capable of finding its footing and posing as a legitimate threat in the playoffs.
Miami is always looking to shake things up, making the Heat a team no one should overlook.
And then there are the Raptors, whose five-game trip resumes Friday night in Portland. Following a loss in L.A. to the Lakers to tip off the swing, the Raptors led big early and never trailed in handing Golden State a decisive loss.
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How is the Raptors’ trip going?
Then came a win in Sacramento, assuring the team of a decent trip. One more win and the trip will be deemed a success.
The unthinkable would be going 4-1, but for that to happen a win against the Trail Blazers must be achieved before the road finale gets played Sunday in Oklahoma City against the reigning champions.
Portland was scheduled to play host to Miami on Thursday, meaning the Blazers will hook up with the Raptors on the back end of a back-to-back and the option to exercise injury management as a means to sit out players.
The Raptors have persevered through a stretch where no starting lineup has been the same from game to game, a byproduct of injuries that have hit the likes of Jakob Poeltl, RJ Barrett, Collin Murray-Boyles and Ja’Kobe Walter.
Barrett appears to be on the cusp of returning from his ankle setback and could be available as early as Friday.
As long as Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes are on the floor, the Raptors have shown to be more than competent and more than capable of winning games as evidenced by their 27-19 record.
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One can argue the team’s body of work has been built against inferior opposition, including the past two wins against a Warriors team that had just been dealt a severe blow in the wake of Jimmy Butler’s season-ending knee injury.
The Kings are quite bad and yet they lost only one quarter on Wednesday night.
After trailing at intermission, the Raptors outscored Sacramento 43-21 in the decisive third quarter en route to their 122-109 win.
Fateful Third Quarter
Scottie Barnes scored 14 of his 23 points in the fateful third. On the night, he went 8-for-17 from the field, hauled down eight rebounds, dished off seven assists and would record four steals.
For the fifth consecutive game — a season high, it should be noted — Barnes netted at least 22 points.
Many tongues were wagging when Barnes was completely snubbed following the first unveiling of the top 20 in fan voting for the all-star game.
Predictably, Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic came to Barnes’ defence and encouraged fans in Canada to support the face of the franchise — as if that was going to do anything.
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Puzzled and disappointed were two of the words Rajakovic uttered when describing the clear and obvious oversight of a process that is a glorified popularity contest.
On Feb. 1 at 6 p.m. ET, the league will announce its all-star reserves.
Unlike fan voting, coaches decide all-star reserves and it’s coaches who privately advocate, some publicly, for their player to be included. Selections are not based on positions so, in other words, the best are named.
Barnes has been one of the Eastern Conference’s best players and he will be named as a reserve. It would be shocking if he isn’t, but coaches know better.
Barnes has appeared in one all-star game, but his inclusion was the result of an injury.
Ingram was named to an all-star team when he played in New Orleans and now his value to the Raptors can’t be overstated.
Deserving All-Stars?
As shocking as Barnes not being named an all-star reserve would be, it would be surprising if both Barnes and Ingram are included.
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A case can be made that each deserves to be in L.A., but of the two, Barnes is more likely to get the nod.
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[Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley is fouled by Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) during the first half of an NBA game on Jan. 21, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif.
Raptors emerge as Kings for a day in dismissing host Sacramento Kings](https://torontosun.com/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors/raptors-dismiss-host-sacramento-jan-22-2026)
2. [Jamal Shead #23 of the Toronto Raptors is guarded by Gui Santos #15 of the Golden State Warriors in the second half at Chase Center on January 20, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
Raptors play like road warriors in beatdown of shell-shocked Golden State](https://torontosun.com/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors/raptors-play-like-road-warriors-golden-state-warriors)
Given Toronto’s record and how both Barnes and Ingram have stepped up, and how much each has meant to the Raptors, perhaps both will be in Los Angeles.
On the same night the NBA names its all-star reserves, the premiere of Sunday Night Basketball’ will air on NBC/Peacock, a double dip pitting the Knicks playing host to the Lakers followed by Denver playing host to the Thunder.
Such a marquee backdrop may one day feature the Raptors, but that day isn’t anytime soon.
When the NBA’s stars convene at Intuit Dome, the Raptors will be represented in the showcase event.
All that remains is whether one or two players will be involved.
fzicarelli@postmedia.com
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