Toronto Raptors forward/guard Scottie Barnes (4) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Quenton Jackson (29) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Raptors' Scottie Barnes proves All-Star worth in win over Pacers

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Jan 15, 2026 12:26 AM ET

On the last day of fan voting, Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes made one last-ditch effort to prove that he deserves to be an All-Star. Barnes put up one of his best performances of the season in the Raptors' 115-101 win over the Indiana Pacers.

Barnes was three rebounds shy of a triple-double as he recorded 26 points, 13 assists and seven boards in 38 minutes of action. The 24-year-old, who's in the midst of his fifth NBA season and now has a scoring average of 19.3 while shooting exactly 50% from the field.

And based on his overall body of work so far this season, Barnes hopes to gain entrance to the NBA's All-Star Weekend without having to buy a ticket.

Barnes should make the All-Star team even if he doesn't get the votes

But regardless of his recent numbers — he also scored 31 on Jan. 11 against Philadelphia, Barnes was in the 14th position when the then-voting totals were released last week on Jan. 7 with 232,072 votes. The top five vote getters become starters.

SEND SCOTTIE TO THE ALL-STAR ⭐https://t.co/hBrcYmT62a pic.twitter.com/UqvRb1gg4t
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 15, 2026

However, with the fan voting now closed ahead of the All-Star starters reveal on Monday, Jan. 19, Barnes is unlikely to skyrocket up the charts to gain entrance that route, granted he still has a strong case to make the team as a reserve.

Barnes is playing right up to par with his numbers from last season

Barnes was an All-Star last season with the same scoring average of 19.3 and very similar numbers across the board. He's currently averaging 8.3 rebounds after 7.7 during the 2024-25 campaign and 5.3 assists compared to 5.8 one year ago.

More important than any individual recognition, the Raptors are slotted above the 76ers and just below Boston as the current No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference standings.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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