Scottie Barnes' triumphant return has revived the positive vibes in Toronto

The Toronto Raptors weren't terrible without Scottie Barnes, but they struggled, suffering a seven-game losing streak during that period.

Despite the challenges during that time, the unlikely duo of RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl emerged as a formidable force. That said, there's only so long you can rely on that one-two punch; it's always beneficial to have the rest of your injured team back to support the cause.

The Toronto Raptors must have been thrilled when their friendly-faced star was cleared to return to action after recovering from a serious facial injury sustained in October.

Barnes was placed on a minutes restriction, logging just 27 minutes on the court, yet he made a significant impact with a stat line of 17 points, six assists, and three rebounds. Even with their franchise star returning to the starting lineup, the Raptors' usual performers still had a solid night of their own.

Barrett topped the scoring with 31 points, Poeltl delivered another dominant double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while savvy veteran Chris Boucher added a burst of offense off the bench, contributing 22 points.

Beyond the impressive box score, watching the game reveals that this version of the Raptors is a completely reinvigorated team compared to previous outings.

Scottie Barnes brings an added dimension to an already defensive-minded core, showcasing their poise in the fourth quarter as they effectively locked down the entire Minnesota offense. It certainly paid off, as the Raptors managed to fend off their Midwest foes with a final score of 110-105.

The Raptors entered the bonus early, converted key turnovers into easy baskets, and focused on keeping the ball out of Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards’ hands at all costs. Hearing the Scotiabank Arena erupt as their underperforming team finally flustered the opposition was reminiscent of the championship era, and it was truly a joy to witness.

The vibes are back in Toronto

The advantage of having a star player like Scottie Barnes is that he doesn’t fit the typical ball-dominant archetype; instead, he plays more like a versatile swingman who can effortlessly score, distribute the ball, and grab rebounds.

There’s no indication that Barnes will take away touches from his teammates, especially with underrated players like Ochai Agbaji and Gradey Dick stepping up as key contributors in the Raptors' offense at times. The unselfish playing style of Toronto should help maintain positive team dynamics.

The Raptors are currently on a two-game winning streak and have the opportunity to extend it to three games on November 24 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Last season, the Toronto Raptors struggled to achieve a three-game winning streak entirely. While it's not the most remarkable accomplishment, it's definitely a positive development in their rebuilding direction.

However, they may want to avoid winning too many games to steer clear of the NBA's purgatory tier, as it might be in the team's best interest to embrace a tank.