Pa Arthur Hill | on November 2, 2026 at 10:58 am
The Predators lost to Orlando in Friday’s NBA Cup opener, but Scotty Barnes was in full attack mode, which could be a positive sign for the rest of the season, writes SportsNet’s Michael Grange. Days after being cut by Minnesota, Barnes found his shot from the start, making 24 field goals in the first half and 34 overall en route to a 41-point night. He continued that trend with 29 points on 20 shots Sunday against the Lakers.
“I tried to be aggressive, especially after that game with Minnesota.” Barnes said. “My attitude to the game right now is to continue to try to be aggressive as best I can and help the team as best I can.”
Grange notes that defense and playmaking are usually Barnes’ priorities, with scoring third on his to-do list. However, he proved he can fill a scoring role, averaging 24.1 ppg in the playoffs last season, and the team will likely need an increase in production from him Kawhi Leonard is on the sidelines.
Grange adds that Barnes entered the season hoping to set a new career high in scoring, and he has scored 24.8 ppg in six games.
“I wanted to break it, (but) it’s just trying to be aggressive,” Barnes said. “I think I did a great downhill, I was aggressive.”
More on the Raptors:
- After scoring 12 points and grabbing 11 rebounds on Friday, Jacob Poeltl woke up Sunday with a “wobbly” left shoulder and is out with bursitis, Grange says in a separate story. Poeltl participated in pregame warmups but decided he could not play because the pain limited his range of motion. He will be reevaluated before tonight’s contest against the Clippers.
- At the beginning of the season, “Raptors” met with Sandro Mamukelashvili Sunday night, Grange adds. He had a breakout year when Poeltl was shut down last season and was able to parlay that into a four-year, $52 million contract with Lakers in free agency. “I’m grateful. I’ll never forget it.” Mamukelashvili said. “(Coach Darko Rayakovich) and the entire Raptors organization made it possible for me to be here today. And even though it didn’t work out with them (contract-wise), I’m very grateful that they gave me the opportunity to go out there and show what I can do and what kind of player I am.”
- Rajakovic told reporters that Leonard is “feeling good” and an update on his condition will be released Tuesday, SportsNet’s Blake Murphy reports (Link to Twitter).
