TORONTO – Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic believes that the longer term belongs to Scottie Barnes.
Rajakovic was effusive in his praise for Barnes after the Raptors all-star scored 25 points and had 14 rebounds in Toronto’s 122-104 rout of the Indiana Pacers on Sunday afternoon. Barnes also surpassed former Raptors all-star Pascal Siakam — now on the Pacers — for the fifth most double-doubles in Toronto history with 103.
“Scottie is defensive player of the yr. He’s an all-star. He’s going to be a Finals MVP. He’s going to be an MVP someday,” said Rajakovic.”Write down the date I said that.”
Barnes could only chuckle at Rajakovic’s prediction.
“That’s my coach, man. He’s at all times supporting us. He’s at all times got our backs,” said Barnes. “That’s Darko for you.”
Barnes helped Toronto blow the sport wide open within the third quarter, scoring 13 of his points and grabbing eight rebounds within the period. He also had 4 assists, two blocks and a steal within the third.
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The Raptors dominated the period, making 60.7 per cent of their field-goal attempts and all six of their free throws, outscoring Indiana 44-26 within the quarter.
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Barnes said he tried to step up after rookie centre Collin Murray-Boyles left the sport in the primary quarter. Murray-Boyles aggravated a sprain in his left thumb when one other player hit his hand.
“I just do what the sport demands of me,” said Barnes. “Obviously, Collin wasn’t there so I needed to rebound more, we wanted some rim protection.
“Going where the sport demands. I used to be feeling just a little bit like I used to be going downhill, attacking.”
Trayce Jackson-Davis made his Raptors debut after being traded to Toronto by the Golden State Warriors on Thursday. He had 10 points and 10 rebounds in quarter-hour of play.
Jackson-Davis said it has been a straightforward adjustment for him up to now.
“You could possibly see throughout the game, they’re hyping me up each time I made a play, giving me plenty of confidence, and so I’m completely satisfied to be here. I’m completely satisfied to be an element of the team,” said the 25-year-old centre. “One in every of the assistant coaches got here as much as me and said ‘at the tip of the day, it’s just basketball, just go on the market and play.’
“In order that’s what I did.”
Even though it was a solid debut, Rajakovic desired to wait before commenting on Jackson-Davis’s performance.
“I don’t need to pass judgment. (…) I just need to let him be. I would like to educate him. I would like to assist him. I would like to to construct him and see where we go,” said Rajakovic. “I don’t need to, based on one good game or bad game, to pass any judgment on him.
“I would like to see a piece of 10 to fifteen games and see how he grows with us.”
The Raptors (32-22) are fifth within the Eastern Conference and can host the Detroit Pistons (38-13) on Wednesday. It’s the last game for each teams before the NBA’s all-star weekend.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 8, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press