Scottie Barnes Sparks Third-Quarter Surge as Raptors Overpower Kings 122-109
The Toronto Raptors found their rhythm when it mattered most on Wednesday night, riding a massive second-half performance from Scottie Barnes to secure a 122-109 victory over the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center. After a sluggish first half that saw them trailing by nine at the break, Toronto exploded for a 43-point third quarter to silence the Sacramento crowd and snap a long-standing drought in the California capital.
Barnes Takes Over in the Third Quarter
The story of the night was undoubtedly Scottie Barnes. The versatile forward finished with 23 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and four steals, but it was his dominance in the third quarter that changed the complexion of the game. Barnes scored 14 of his 23 points in that frame alone, shooting 5-of-6 from the floor during the stretch.
Barnes has been on a tear lately, and Wednesday marked his fifth consecutive game scoring at least 22 points—a new season high for the Raptors star. His ability to facilitate the offense while remaining aggressive as a scorer allowed Toronto to outscore Sacramento 43-21 in the third quarter, turning a halftime deficit into a commanding lead they would not relinquish.
Balanced Scoring Attack Leads Toronto
While Barnes provided the spark, he was far from alone in the scoring column. Brandon Ingram matched Barnes with 23 points of his own, providing consistent perimeter scoring throughout the night. The Raptors' depth was also on full display as Sandro Mamukelashvili contributed a near double-double with 22 points and nine rebounds.
Point guard Immanuel Quickley added 18 points, helping the Raptors maintain their offensive flow. Toronto's efficiency was a continuation of their recent hot streak; just one night prior, the team shot 59% from the field in a win over the Golden State Warriors. This victory marks the first time the Raptors have won in Sacramento since January 25, 2023.
Shorthanded Kings Struggle to Find Answers
The Sacramento Kings entered the contest without their anchor, Domantas Sabonis. The three-time All-Star was held out for rest as the team manages his return from a left knee injury that previously sidelined him for 27 games. Without Sabonis in the middle, the Kings struggled to contain Toronto's penetration and were outrebounded at key moments.
Russell Westbrook led the way for Sacramento with 23 points, while Zach LaVine added 19 points and five assists. Malik Monk chipped in 17 points off the bench, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer to end the first quarter, but the Kings' defense couldn't hold up under the weight of Toronto's third-quarter barrage. The loss is the third straight for Sacramento, who have cooled off significantly following a season-high four-game winning streak.
What’s Next for the Raptors?
With the win, the Toronto Raptors improve their record to 25-19 as they continue their West Coast road trip. The team has shown impressive resilience, overcoming early deficits in back-to-back games to secure important victories. Toronto will look to keep the momentum going when they face the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.
The Kings, now 12-32 on the season, will need to regroup quickly as they search for defensive consistency and await the full-time return of Sabonis to the lineup.
