Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic praised Scottie Barnes after Toronto’s 122-104 win over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. “Scottie was good in the third quarter… we ended up having 16 more possessions in this game than them and did really good job in the second half… Scottie was amazing with defense and blocking shots, changing shots,” Rajakovic said.
Barnes finished with 25 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, four blocks, and two steals in 33 minutes. “He scored and did everything there but he would not do that if his teammates are not running to right spots and providing good spacing,” Rajakovic added.
The coach highlighted Barnes’ ability to lift the team at key moments. “The third quarter especially… it was the momentum of game where you can really change the game… Scottie was a huge part for us there offensively and then running,” he said.
Rajakovic also predicted a bright future for the 24-year-old forward. “Scottie is defensive player of the year. Scottie is an all-star. Scottie is going to be NBA Finals MVP one day. Scottie is going to be MVP of this league one day. And I’m calling that now,” he declared.
Toronto improved to 32-22 with the victory, moving 10 games above .500. RJ Barrett added 20 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, while Sandro Mamukelashvili contributed 17 points. Trayce Jackson-Davis, in his Raptors debut after a trade from Golden State, posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in 15 minutes.
“We lost Collin… but Trayce played well and gave us good 15 minutes,” Rajakovic said of his team’s depth adjustments.
Rajakovic emphasized his approach to developing young players. “I want to coach him, I want to help him, I want to build him and see where we go… I want to see chunk of 10–15 games and see how he grows with us,” he said regarding Jackson-Davis.
The Pacers fell to 13-40. Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 18 points, followed by Jay Huff with 15 and Jarace Walker with 13.
The Raptors will host the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, while the Pacers visit New York on Tuesday.
