Toronto Just Clinched Their First Playoff Spot Since 2022 and Scottie Barnes Put On a Triple-Double Clinic to Do It

Scottie Barnes is putting the league on notice. The Toronto Raptors guard dropped 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists to lead the Raptors past the Brooklyn Nets 136-101 on Sunday, and with that win, Toronto secured the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. This is their first playoff berth since 2022, and it came down to the wire.

Barnes recorded his third triple-double of the season and ninth of his career, anchoring a Raptors lineup that showed serious depth. RJ Barrett chipped in 26 points, and Brandon Ingram added 25. Ja'Kobe Walter and Jakob Poeltl each scored 11, while A.J. Lawson contributed 10. The only scare came when Immanuel Quickley left the game in the second half with a tight hamstring after putting up 4 points and 5 assists, but Toronto's offense was already rolling.

The Nets, meanwhile, finished a rough season at 20-62 and landed in lottery territory. Chaney Johnson had 16 points and 13 rebounds for Brooklyn, and Tyson Etienne added 20 points, but it wasn't nearly enough to keep pace. The Raptors (46-36) are headed to Cleveland to face the fourth-seeded Cavaliers in the first round, starting Saturday.

Around the League

The 76ers beat the Bucks 126-106 in what could be Doc Rivers' final game as Milwaukee's head coach. Rivers, 64, is headed to the Hall of Fame in August and the Bucks are discussing moving him to the front office for next season. Tyrese Maxey went off for 21 points, with 16 coming in the third quarter as Philly pulled away. Quentin Grimes hit four 3-pointers and scored 20 for the 76ers, who locked into the play-in tournament as the No. 7 seed and will host Orlando on Wednesday.

The Celtics rested eight players, including their top seven scorers, but still beat visiting Orlando 113-108 in the final regular-season game for both teams. Baylor Scheierman led Boston with a career-high 30 points. Boston already had the No. 2 seed locked in and will face whoever emerges from the No. 7 seed play-in spot.

Miami dismantled Atlanta 143-117 to finish its regular season. Bam Adebayo posted 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 26 points and 5 assists. Norman Powell returned from a groin injury with 25 points. The Heat, 5-10 over their last 15 games, are in the play-in tournament for the fourth straight year and will face the Hornets next.

Houston cruised past short-handed Memphis 132-101 to close with nine wins in their last 10 games. The Rockets already had the No. 5 seed locked and rested four starters including Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun. Clint Capela had a season-high 23 points on 9-for-11 shooting with 13 rebounds, and Tari Eason and Reed Sheppard combined for 39 points.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.