The Milwaukee Bucks saw their three-game winning streak end on Sunday, as they suffered a 122-94 loss to the Toronto Raptors.
With that victory, the Raptors have won outright their 2025-26 NBA regular-season series against Doc Rivers’ squad, 3-1.
And they did so without star Scottie Barnes active in the game.
Barnes missed Sunday’s game due to personal reasons, but the Raptors got the job done, thanks in large part to Immanuel Quickley, who erupted for 32 points on 11/19 shooting from the field. Brandon Ingram added 22 points, while Sandro Mamukelashvili and Jamal Shead provided major support from the bench, with 15 and 12 points, respectively.
Bucks’ Rivers gives Barnes his flowers
Amid those performances, Rivers had a special praise for the Raptors’ missing star before the game.
Via Michael Grange of Sportsnet:
“I don’t know if he’s up for the Most Improved Player (Award), but he should be,” said Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers ahead of Sunday’s game. “About a year or two ago — and I’m being really honest; I probably shouldn’t even say this — but I wasn’t sure watching Scottie. I was like, ‘Man, I don’t know what he is, what he’s gonna do. How he’s gonna improve?’
“And then watching them this year, it’s like, ‘Wow, whatever that question was, it’s all gone.’ And it’s more than just his play with Scottie; it’s his leadership. Being a young player, being kind of thrown in that role, that’s not easy. …He gives him that intensity, and he also can guard one through five, which doesn’t hurt at all. And his offence, he’s found his spots on the floor where he can be effective with his passing. I don’t know if I’ve seen a player improve that quickly.”
Barnes earned his second NBA All-Star nod this season, as he had a strong first half in the 2025-26 campaign.
Through 55 games played in the current season, the former Florida State Seminoles star has averaged 19.2 points on a 50.1 percent shooting from the field, 8.4 rebounds and 5.6 assists.
Feb 11, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers during the second half against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
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