Raptors vs. Timberwolves: Scottie Barnes Goes 0-for-12 in 117-94 Loss

The Toronto Raptors dropped their first game of the season Sunday night, falling 117-94 to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Toronto showed elite defense in its first two games of the year, but a poor shooting night ultimately cost them the game. Both teams entered the game 2-0, with strong early momentum in the 2026-27 season.Scottie Barnes had a historically bad shooting night, going 0-for-12 from the field and 0-for-5 from the 3-point range. It was the second time in his career he didn't record a field goal in a regular-season game. It was also the first time Barnes scored fewer than 10 points since March 31 against the Detroit Pistons last season. Barnes scored fewer than 10 points only five times last season, as he has been a reliable offensive weapon for the Raptors during his tenure in Toronto.Kawhi Leonard missed the game with an injury, and Ja'Kobe Walter started in his place, scoring 22 points on 7-for-12 shooting and grabbing two steals. Immanuel Quickley added 19 points to support Walter, but Leonard's absence and Barnes' poor night made both efforts moot. Allen Graves was the only other Raptor besides RJ Barrett, Walter, and Quickley to score in double figures, going 5-for-7 from the field in 20 minutes.Graves had combined for just seven points in his first two NBA games.Barrett scored 20 points in 32 minutes, making 9 of 21 field-goal attempts. Like Barnes, he struggled from 3-point range as Toronto finished 10-for-38 from beyond the arc. The Timberwolves outrebounded Toronto 49-34 and forced 16 turnovers.Leonard missed the game with a swollen left knee. He had averaged 19.5 points over two games. Leonard missed multiple games after bruising his left knee in January 2026 while with the Los Angeles Clippers.The Timberwolves led by as many as 32 points after taking a double-digit first-quarter lead. Anthony Edwards played just 27 minutes and scored 26 points. LaMelo Ball scored 15 points on 4-for-5 shooting from beyond the arc and added eight assists in his home debut. Jaden McDaniels had 14 points, and Rudy Gobert added 13 rebounds. Minnesota overcame 23 turnovers forced by the Raptors to win.Toronto plays two straight games against Orlando this Wednesday and Friday, with both games starting at 7:30 p.m. The Magic are 1-2 and come off a 111-102 win over the defending champion New York Knicks. The Raptors will look to continue their stellar defense against a team that has averaged 109.7 points per game over three games.