Raptors' Rajakovic praises red-hot Barnes: 'Blessed' to have him
Toronto Raptors bench boss Darko Rajakovic feels lucky to coach Scottie Barnes.
"I'm blessed to have a player like him," Rajakovic said Sunday following the third-year forward's 30-point performance against the San Antonio Spurs, according to Sportsnet's Michael Grange.
The Raptors overcame a 22-point deficit to beat the Spurs 123-116 in overtime. Barnes was instrumental in the comeback, scoring 17 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter. He tied the contest with a 3-pointer with 38 seconds left, one of his five makes from deep.
Barnes didn't realize the shot leveled the score because he thought the team was down by four points, per Grange. His plan during the fourth quarter was just to "make something happen."
The 22-year-old also recorded 11 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and three blocks in the game. Barnes joins LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony as the third player in the last 10 years to score at least 15 points and record multiple steals and blocks in the fourth quarter, according to ESPN's Matt Williams.
The Florida State product is in the midst of a breakout campaign, averaging 22.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 2.1 blocks, and 1.1 steals in seven contests. He's scored at least 20 points in the team's last six games.
Toronto, now 3-4, takes on the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.