Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors are back in action on Wednesday night as they play host to the Minnesota Timberwolves in their final game before the NBA’s trade deadline.
Watch the Raptors take on the Timberwolves LIVE Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT on TSN1/4, TSN.ca, and the TSN App.
Toronto (30-21) snapped a two-game skid last time out with a victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday, and now look to gain some momentum with the All-Star break coming up on the horizon next week.
Barnes was named an All-Star reserve during Sunday’s win, recording 19.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game this season.
Head coach Darko Rajakovic will be joining the fifth-year forward in Los Angeles for the festivities, and will coach Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, and the other international stars on Team World.
“It’s never one thing with Scottie,” said Rajakovic, who is now in his third season as Toronto’s head coach. “I think he’s more efficient, and he’s done a better job in transition. I think he’s doing a better job of making plays and finding his teammates. He’s better in pick and rolls, running and scoring and defensively.
“He just does it all. He’s such a unique player, and I think you’re going to continue to see growth in all those areas.”
Barnes, the 2022 Rookie of the Year, is now an All-Star for the second time in his career after previously being added to the event as an injury replacement in 2024.
“I know how hungry [Barnes] is and how much he wants to win with this team,” Rajakovic said. “I know how much work he puts in. So the next thing for him is he’s going to be elected as a starter. I’m starting the campaign for that right now.”
Somewhat surprisingly, Raptors forward Brandon Ingram was not selected among the reserves despite leading Toronto with 21.9 points per game.
With the addition of Ingram this season, the Raptors have already matched their win total from a season ago and are now just 2.5 games back of second place in the Eastern Conference.
“I was disappointed Brandon didn’t make it,” Barnes told reporters after the win over Utah. “[Ingram] has done so much for us this year. Look at the difference from last year to this year. He has been instrumental to our success.”
While Ingram will not be an All-Star this time around, the Duke product will still look to help Toronto finish strong before the break, beginning with Wednesday’s tilt against Minnesota.
The Raptors will be without Jakob Poeltl once again while he continues to work his way through a back injury.
The Austrian big man has not played since Dec. 21 with the ailment and still remains without a timeline.
Minnesota is set to be without guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (foot), while stars Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle are both listed as questionable for the contest.