MILWAUKEE – The Toronto Raptors demonstrated their strength and adaptability by defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 122-94 on Sunday, despite missing Scottie Barnes, their All-NBA caliber defender and key playmaker. Barnes was absent for just the second time this season due to a personal matter, yet the Raptors maintained their competitive edge, bolstering hopes for continued success even when their cornerstone player is sidelined.
Barnes has been instrumental in shaping the Raptors’ defensive identity, consistently providing disrupting defense, versatile scoring inside the paint, and aggressive transition playmaking. His impact reaches beyond the stats, lifting the team’s overall dynamics through his leadership and versatility on both ends. Entering Sunday, he ranked among league leaders in rebounds, blocks, steals, and assists, while the Raptors enjoyed a 6.3-point advantage when he was on the court.
Scottie Barnes’ Influence Recognized by Opponents and Coaches
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers offered high praise for Barnes ahead of the game, underscoring how dramatically the young player has developed. Rivers admitted uncertainty about Barnes’ future impact in earlier years but acknowledged the impressive strides he’s made this season.
“I don’t know if he’s up for the Most Improved Player (Award), but he should be,”
said Doc Rivers, Milwaukee Bucks head coach.
“About a year or two ago — and I’m being really honest; I probably shouldn’t even say this — but I wasn’t sure watching Scottie. I was like, ‘Man, I don’t know what he is, what he’s gonna do. How he’s gonna improve?’ And then watching them this year, it’s like, ‘Wow, whatever that question was, it’s all gone.’ And it’s more than just his play with Scottie; it’s his leadership. Being a young player, being kind of thrown in that role, that’s not easy. …He gives him that intensity, and he also can guard one through five, which doesn’t hurt at all. And his offence, he’s found his spots on the floor where he can be effective with his passing. I don’t know if I’ve seen a player improve that quickly.”
“Good to great is a tough stretch. Average to good is hard, too, but that next step is hard. Most people never make it, and it looks like he’s on his way.”
Raptors’ Commanding Performance Against the Bucks Without Barnes
The Raptors faced an early challenge when trailing 5-0 after the opening quarter, with a visible shooting slump as they missed their first 11 attempts beyond the arc. The breakthrough came courtesy of Sandro Mamukelashvili, who drained a critical three-pointer just before the buzzer to shift the momentum. Toronto then surged ahead by outscoring the Bucks 38-24 in the second quarter and entered halftime leading by nine points. They extended their advantage to 19 by the end of the third quarter and maintained control throughout the final period.
“I told him jokingly during the timeout [that] it was my birthday present,”
stated Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic, who celebrated his 47th birthday with the win, improving the team’s record to 34-23, just one game behind the Cleveland Cavaliers for fourth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Immanuel Quickley Emerges as Offensive Leader for Toronto
Point guard Immanuel Quickley carried the offensive load in Barnes’ absence, scoring a game-high 32 points, including 18 in the pivotal second quarter. Quickley’s precision shooting and effective passing, which resulted in nine assists when the Bucks attempted to deny him the ball, fueled the Raptors’ dominant performance. His recent form has been remarkable, significantly contributing to the team’s scoring efficiency and court spacing.
“I feel I’m hot as soon as the game starts,”
Quickley said.
“That’s the mindset. Come in, be aggressive. If the defence stops me when they put two on me. …The mindset to be aggressive is where it starts.”
Coach Rajakovic acknowledged Quickley’s growth, emphasizing that his best is yet to come.
“I don’t think he’s even close to peak as a player,”
Rajakovic remarked.
“I think there is another layer to him. I can see him constantly getting better and improving for us.”
Still, Quickley remained clear about Barnes’ unique role within the team.
“We absolutely miss Scottie,” Quickley admitted, highlighting how the team compensated collectively on defense for Barnes’ versatile skill set.
“What he does for us, you don’t make up somebody like that with just one person; you need a collective unit, and I think we did that, especially in the defensive way, where he brings his versatility. I think we did a good job collectively as a team.”
Raptors Maintain Defensive Intensity Without Their Defensive Anchor
Contrary to expectations that the Raptors might struggle defensively without Barnes, they forced 19 Bucks turnovers, converting them into 27 points. The team recorded 11 steals and exhibited relentless defensive pressure with constant deflections throughout the game. Bench players like Jamal Shead and Collin Murray-Boyles stepped up, contributing with points, assists, steals, and strong defensive work. Jakob Poeltl showed renewed mobility and activity after returning from a prolonged back injury, further strengthening the Raptors’ interior defense.
The team’s preparation through three practices over four days after the All-Star break paid dividends. They had also secured a solid win against the Chicago Bulls prior to this game with Barnes present, then seamlessly controlled the Bucks even without him.
“We were talking about how we had to stick with the process,”
Rajakovic explained.
“We’ve got to continue playing the right way. All those shots, they were great shots, great looks. That’s a big part of building our character [sticking with it]. … Any time we do have some practice time, there is a lot of carryover in the game [and] I thought our on-ball defence was elite tonight.”
For once, the Raptors made Scottie Barnes an afterthought—not because they forgot him, but because their collective effort nullified the impact of his absence. This suggests promising depth and cohesion that can sustain the team’s success moving forward.
Additional Observations and Noteworthy NBA Developments
1. The Long-Term Impact of the Norman Powell–Gary Trent Jr. Trade
The Raptors’ decision to trade Norm Powell for Gary Trent Jr. in March 2021 continues to puzzle observers. Although Trent Jr. was younger and considered an upside play, his performance has not matched expectations. Since joining Milwaukee, Trent Jr. has seen reduced playing time and has played under a modest contract, while Powell flourishes with the Miami Heat, averaging 22.9 points per game and earning his first All-Star selection this season.
2. Doc Rivers Reflects on Basketball and Beyond
Bucks coach Doc Rivers is known for his engaging and off-court-oriented media presence. Prior to Sunday’s game, he expressed fascination with recent hockey overtime formats and suggested innovative ideas for basketball overtime structures to spice up the game.
“It was really cool to watch,”
Rivers commented about the USA-Canada gold medal hockey game.
“I wish we passed the ball like them. But I was sitting there thinking we should start overtime four-on-four for three minutes and then go three-on-three. And for double-overtime, three-on-three goes to two-on-two, and then one-on-one, and in one-on-one, it’s first basket wins.”
3. Raptors’ Upcoming Schedule Offers Strategic Advantages
While the NBA’s grueling travel and condensed schedule often draw complaints, the Raptors are entering a stretch that should work in their favor. Sunday’s game was only their second in five days, allowing for ample practice time after the All-Star break. Following the trip to Milwaukee, they enjoyed a rest day before hosting back-to-back home games against Oklahoma City and San Antonio. Subsequent games provide additional breaks and manageable travel, with six games over 14 days and minimal time-zone disruptions, increasing their prospects for rest and preparation to maintain momentum in the playoff race.
“Good to great, it's a tough stretch. You know, average to good, it's hard too, but that next step is hard. Most people never make it, and it looks like he's on his way.” — Doc Rivers on Scottie Barnes (who is out vs. Bucks due to personal reasons).
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) February 22, 2026
Immanuel Quickley today:
32 Points
9 Assists
3 Rebounds
11/19 FGM
5/11 3PM
5/5 FTM
31 Minutes pic.twitter.com/FC14JGlIyW— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 22, 2026
