The Toronto Raptors forward was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week by the NBA on Monday, bookending a perfect 3-0 stretch for the team.
Barnes and the Raptors knocked off the Orlando Magic last Tuesday then picked up back-to-back wins over the Hawks in Atlanta. During that span, the 23-year-old franchise cornerstone averaged 22.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, 6.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals and a block.
The perfect week was part of a larger string of positive play for Toronto, winners of five of their last six. The three-game win streak is just their second such streak since last February and the first time they’ve won five-of-six under second-year head coach Darko Rajakovic.
It’s Barnes’s first time earning the honour since being drafted fourth overall by Toronto in 2021, and he’s the first Raptor to get the nod since Pascal Siakam in December of the 2022-23 campaign.
According to the NBA, other nominees in the East included Giannis Antetokoumpo and Damian Lillard (Milwaukee Bucks), Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers), Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers) and Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics).
With Barnes’s uptick in production, his season averages are now up to 20.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.5 steals through 32 games.
Meanwhile, Memphis Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. took home the Western Conference’s Player of the Week award. He led the Grizzlies to a 4-0 week with averages of 25.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks during that span.
The Raptors return to action on Monday, looking to win four games in a row for the first time since Mar. 2022, as they host the New Orleans Pelicans in Toronto.