TITLE: Barnes’ Late Block Lifts Raptors Past Suns, Highlights Renewed Team Unity
SLUG: barnes-block-sparks-raptors-win-and-shows-locker-room-resolve
CONTENT:
The Toronto Raptors snapped a rough stretch on Friday night with a 112-106 victory over the Phoenix Suns at Scotiabank Arena, ending a run of six losses in eight games and securing their first win over a team above .500 since January 25.
Forward Scottie Barnes, listed as questionable earlier in the day because of an illness, played 31 minutes and delivered the decisive moment. With 43 seconds remaining and Toronto protecting a four-point lead, the third-year wing chased down Jalen Green and rejected the guard’s dunk attempt from behind. The block ignited a fast-break conversion by RJ Barrett, turning a potential two-point game into a six-point cushion.
“Got out there, was a little tired and winded,” Barnes said after finishing with 14 points, six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal. “Fight through and make it to live another day.”
Brandon Ingram paced all scorers with 36 points on 13-of-20 shooting while adding seven rebounds, three assists and a steal. The veteran forward said the club’s focus was on “urgency to compete and most of all stay together” after recent struggles.
Rajakovic Addresses Previous Incident
Head coach Darko Rajakovic entered Friday’s matchup still bothered by the way his roster reacted late in Wednesday’s loss at New Orleans, when Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray hit a three-pointer, taunted a fallen Jamal Shead and received little pushback from Toronto players. “I thought that we did not handle the situation the way we were supposed to,” Rajakovic said pregame. He added that the team held internal discussions and agreed such passivity “is never going to happen again.”
Both Sportsnet’s Michael Grange and The Athletic’s Eric Koreen noted a different response on Friday: multiple Raptors immediately surrounded Barrett after Grayson Allen committed a flagrant foul on the swingman during the second half.
Shead Unfazed, Focused on Results
Shead, who supplied six points and eight assists in 25 reserve minutes against Phoenix, downplayed the dust-up with Murray. “In the moment I was just like, ‘Oh snap, he’s over me,’” the rookie guard said. “We were really focused on the outcome of the game… If it comes up again, I think we’ll respond a little differently.”
Ingram-Shead Connection Symbolizes Chemistry
Grange also detailed the growing bond between Ingram and Shead, citing it as an example of the club’s improved cohesion. “People that bring energy in the room, that have high character… Jamal’s like that,” Ingram said. “He loves the game, wants to learn, and listens.”
Friday’s win lifted Toronto back into firmer postseason position after slipping toward the play-in zone earlier in the week. The Raptors return to action Sunday when they host the Portland Trail Blazers.
Source: Hoops Rumors
