Raptors Notes: Barnes, Quickley, Ingram, Walter

Scottie Barnes had a superb all-around season in 2025/26 and must be a lock for a spot on an All-Defensive staff, in keeping with Josh Lewenberg of TSN.cawho says the two-time All-Star must take his recreation to a different stage within the playoffs for the Raptors to have “a real shot” of their first-round sequence vs. Cleveland.

head coach Darko Rajakovic is assured Barnes’ play will translate effectively to the postseason. The 24-year-old hasn’t been within the playoffs since he was a rookie in ’21/22.

“I think the way Scottie’s competing, the way Scottie is contributing to the team at so many levels, it’s built for a playoff series“Rajakovic said.”It’s a stage he’ll be shining [on]. He simply must be himself and do what he does, and I feel that is greater than sufficient.”

Here’s extra on the Raptors:

• In addition to taking up difficult defensive assignments, Barnes can even have extra play-making duties as a result of Immanuel Quickley stays hobbled by hamstring and foot accidents, Lewenberg notes. Toronto’s start line guard was unable to observe this week and his standing for Saturday’s Game 1 is up within the air, Lewenberg provides.
• Eric Koreen of The Athletic takes a take a look at Brandon Ingram‘s bounce-back first season with Toronto, which resulted in his second All-Star berth and 77 common season appearances, his highest whole since he was a rookie 9 years in the past. Ingram had been affected by numerous accidents in recent times, together with an ankle challenge which restricted him to a career-low 18 video games performed final season. Part of the rationale he was extra out there this season is as a result of Ingram discovered to not overexert himself when he went by means of a tough patch. The 28-year-old ahead credited the staff’s medical employees for protecting shut tabs on their exercise stage. “(It’s) simply fixed communication. ‘How’s your physique feeling? Is this a day we pull again just a little bit? Is this a day we are able to nonetheless go onerous?’Ingram mentioned.They’re giving me all the knowledge I have to know if I have to exert or if I have to take a step again.”
• After a fair begin to his second NBA season, Ja’Kobe Walter thrived after the All-Star break and emerged as a key contributor for the Raptors, writes Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca. Veteran Garrett Temple and Rajakovic praised Walter’s competitiveness, adaptability and the way straightforward he’s to educate, whereas Barnes complimented the 21-year-old’s three-and-D ability set. “We all know he’s been great defensively for us“Barnes said.”Being in a position to put strain on the ball, turning guys, trapping guys, serving to us get out and run, however his capturing is simply one thing that we’d like on our staff, and he is been on fireplace. Each shot he takes, it feels prefer it’s stepping into and he is been tremendous vital for our staff. Sometimes, we get in these ruts the place we’re not making pictures. But we are able to depend on him to play protection and make pictures.”