TORONTO – Scottie Barnes is, in theory, a power forward. But 73 games into the Toronto Raptors’ season, he has played extended time at every position.
Against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday it was time to play point guard with regular starter Immanuel Quickley out with plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Barnes excelled in that role with 23 points, 12 assists and six rebounds as Toronto cruised to a 119-106 victory.
“I’m just waiting for the day when Scottie says to me, ‘Coach, that’s a lot I’ve asked you to do,’ Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic joked. “Play the three, play the four, play point guard, play the five.
“Go save the point, go save the five. He’s just going to do whatever he has to do to help our team and win the game.”
Barnes had 10-plus assists for the third straight game, a career high. It was also his season-best 27th double-double, surpassing the 26 he had last season.
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“It doesn’t matter where I have to be on the floor, I’m just going to try and do what I can to try and win the game,” Barnes said. “Anyway, starting point guard, guarding the five, point guard, playing forward.”
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The two-time all-star also had two steals and three blocks in 36:29 of playing time as Rajakovic rested all starters with just over two minutes left to play.
Rajakovic said that although Barnes’ size of six-foot-eight makes him a forward, he has the instincts of a playmaker.
“He’s a pass-first player. He likes to move, he likes to pass, he likes to find his teammates. He’s outstanding in transition,” Rajakovic said. “We were getting stops early in the game, and he was really pushing the ball in transition and all he does is scan the floor.
“It really allows him, with his size and athleticism, to play at the top of the defense.”
Second-year player Ja’Kobe Walter started in place of Quickley. He was one of four Raptors to score 18 points, and he dished out four assists with Barnes carrying the load.
Both Barnes and Rajakovic praised Walter’s efforts.
“His shooting is something we need for our team,” said Barnes of Walter, who went 6-for-14 on field-goal attempts and 4-for-10 on three-pointers. “He’s been on fire. Every shot he takes looks like it’s going in.
“Sometimes we find ourselves in these situations where we’re not making shots, but we can count on him to be able to play defense and make shots.”
Rajakovic said Walter has had an impact on the Raptors in two ways.
“He did a really good job defensively, putting pressure on the ball. He really gave (Pelicans guard) Jeremiah Fears a ton tonight and he’s shooting the ball really well,” Rajakovic said. “He is good for us and the whole team believes in him.
“He plays so hard, so there’s not much you can argue about when he plays that hard.”
Rookie center Collin Murray-Boyles left the game early with back spasms. He finished with nine points and two rebounds.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on March 28, 2026.
&copies 2026 The Canadian Press
