That's all folks.
You can officially mark it in the books: the Toronto Raptors' 2024-25 regular season campaign has come to an end after they fell to the San Antonio Spurs in a tightly contested matchup, with a final score of 125-118.
Despite Toronto falling short, there’s reason for happiness and optimism in the performances of several young talents.
Jamison Battle broke out with a career-high 25 points, hitting 7 of 15 from three. Jonathan Mogbo came close to yet another triple-double, while Jamal Shead showcased his craftiness as a passer once again. Most importantly, Scottie Barnes demonstrated the unstoppable force he can be, matching his career-high with 35 points in this game, alongside an impressive 11 rebounds and eight assists.
Scottie Barnes shines in season finale against San Antonio Spurs
In a previous article, I noted the importance of Barnes finding his touch around the basket before the consequences proved dire. Well, he had no trouble penetrating and shooting near the rim against the Spurs. Barnes showcased tremendous strength and relentless pressure, backing down his opponents with ease. This type of performance should become his hallmark on a regular basis.
Much of the criticism directed at Barnes stems from his occasional hesitancy, lackadaisical effort, and, arguably, complacency. While we recognize Barnes as a jack-of-all-trades with a balanced skillset, there is undeniably vast potential in his game that remains untapped. Unlocking this potential hinges on Barnes' willingness to take risks and assert himself, all while maintaining his efficiency and effectiveness.
Even more important than that is for Barnes to string together a consistent run of games like this to solidify his standing with the Raptors' brass. It can't just be one stellar performance here and there, only to slip back into mediocrity.
Adapting to the rhythm of the game and putting everything together is crucial for determining Barnes' trajectory as a star in this league. I'm not saying it's easy to deliver 30+ or even 25+ point performances night after night, but these types of games are clearly within Barnes' capabilities. The key is finding a way to draw this out of him more regularly, rather than just once in a blue moon.
Closing out a rollercoaster year like this is certainly a way to reassure fans in Raptors Nation that Barnes is still the star many envision him to be. Even though Toronto ultimately lost, the effort displayed by the team was valiant, and Barnes maintained his competitive spirit throughout.
These developments are a promising sign for the future, especially since the Raptors' gamble on Brandon Ingram largely rests on Scottie Barnes' shoulders. The grind shouldn't stop with this final game of the season; the upcoming offseason is crucial—arguably the most important of Barnes' career thus far.
Next season, Toronto cannot afford to repeat the teeter-totter scenario that unfolded this year.
Nevertheless, it’s always great to see a confident Scottie Barnes out there on the court. I just hope he keeps that mindset going into next year and builds on it with some new developments in his game.