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OKC stands atop the league standings and has only dropped three games at home
Published Jan 24, 2026 • Last updated 5 minutes ago • 4 minute read
Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors goes up for a lay-up against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center on Jan. 21, 2026 in Sacramento, Calif.
Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors goes up for a lay-up against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center on Jan. 21, 2026 in Sacramento, Calif. Photo by Ezra Shaw /Getty Images
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Biggest regular-season game of the Scottie Barnes era?
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It might seem to stretch the margins of hyperbole, but look closer and there’s plenty of reason to believe Sunday’s tip in Oklahoma City can easily qualify as the most meaningful matchup outside of a post-season series.
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In Barnes’ career, only once have the Raptors appeared in the playoffs, a six-game series loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in Barnes’ rookie season.
Profile matchups against some of the NBA’s biggest names and marquee franchises have played out in the many games since the Raptors’ ouster at the hands of Philly in Toronto.
His teammates have changed and heading into Sunday, the Raptors’ fortunes have changed this season with Barnes and Brandon Ingram leading the way, a tandem that rivals any one-two punch in the league.
When Ingram is an offensive rhythm, his length and release point make most of his heaves virtually indefensible.
When Barnes is in beast mode, he’s tough to keep off the glass and even tougher to defend when operating near the basket.
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Defensively, there are very few capable of defending multiple positions.
The host Thunder is reigning NBA champions, a team featuring Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league’s reigning MVP and NBA Finals MVP.
OKC stands atop the league standings and has only dropped three games at home, the latest playing out Friday night against the visiting Indiana Pacers, who lost in Game 7 of last spring’s championship series on the same Paycom Center court.
SGA shines
SGA poured in 47 points in the loss as the Pacers joined San Antonio and Charlotte as the lone teams this season to topple the Thunder at home.
A win Sunday and the Raptors will put a bow on a 4-1 Western trip that began with a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
A loss Sunday and the Raptors are still assured of a winning road trip.
A win, though, has the potential to help jettison the Raptors into that elusive realm of relevance.
A win also sets up the Raptors for a big week of games, beginning with Wednesday night’s visit by the New York Knicks, who have had Toronto’s number and who have abused the Raptors.
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Since winning the NBA Cup, the Knicks have gone 9-10 heading into their road tip against the Sixers Saturday.
When they come to town, the Knicks will be playing the back end of a back-to-back.
There are many reasons, beginning with the play of Barnes and Ingram, why Toronto has reeled off three straight road wins, but one involves how each of Toronto’s vanquished opponents were playing the second game of a back-to-back set.
No wonder why the Raptors have feasted in transition knowing tired legs aren’t equipped to get back on defence.
Perpetually pining for national recognition, the Raptors will be featured on ESPN Friday night when they venture into Orlando.
TV networks have flexed games with ESPN wisely deciding a Raptors-Magic tip is much more appealing than a Grizzlies-Pelicans meeting.
TV spotlight looms
Playing on prime time normally summons the best of players, especially players such as Barnes who haven’t been in the spotlight as often as they probably should.
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In terms of a prime-time tip not played in a prime-time TV slot, it does not get any bigger than Sunday.
In the U.S., it will barely resonate as the sporting monolith better known as the NFL stages its two conference championship games.
For the Raptors, it will and should feel like a championship because so much will be at stake.
Legitimacy isn’t easy to attain, but a win against OKC will move the needle in a way that can’t be quantified.
In Friday’s 117-114 loss to Indy, OKC was missing four of its top-six scorers.
Two of OKC’s best did play in SGA and Chet Holmgren, whose 25 points in the loss were complemented by his 13-rebound game.
Toronto lacks size and it will be interesting to see how the Raptors decide to defend Holmgren, a big who can step out and knock down three-pointers.
Neutralizing size
He doesn’t possess the bulk of a big player, but his height advantage must somehow be neutralized, if that’s even possible.
In SGA, the Thunder features a bucket-getter who will get the line.
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The best way to get the ball out of SGA’s hands or any other player of his ilk is to send an extra defender, putting the onus on the so-called others to emerge as scorers.
When the Pacers played host to OKC earlier in the season, SGA poured in a career-high 55 points.
“Unbelievable,” teammate Kenrich Williams told reporters following Friday’s setback. “He’s playing at an MVP level once again.
“I truly don’t think that people will appreciate it until he’s done playing. What he’s doing right now, how efficient he is, the way he’s leading our team, I think the whole world doesn’t appreciate it as much as they should.”
The perils of playing in a small market can easily sum that up, even when someone such as SGA was and remains the head of the snake of a championship-calibre side.
Barnes wants to reach that level as do the Raptors.
A win Sunday and one can truly start to believe.
fzicarelli@postmedia.com
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