Two Toronto Raptors players appeared in The Nutcracker

You couldn't blame Toronto Raptors players for being in the holiday spirit.

However, two Raptors took their festiveness to another level.

On Friday, Scottie Barnes and Jamal Shead appeared in The Nutcracker, which was put on by The National Ballet of Canada. 

@tsn

Was “Raptors in the National Ballet of Canada” on your 2025 bingo card? 😅🩰 (via @nationalballet / IG)

♬ original sound - TSN

Barnes and Shead played the Cannon Dolls at The Nutcracker, a role that local celebrities have been performing in Toronto for years.

Other celebrities to step up as a Cannon Doll for this season's version of The Nutcracker include Arkells frontman Max Kerman, along with Davis Sanchez and Kate Beirness from TSN.

Barnes and Shead are also carrying on the tradition previously set by former Raptors Kyle Lowry and Matt Thomas.

For Barnes and Shead, the duo followed the Cannon Doll tradition set by their celebrity predecessors.

Although they dress identically, in The Nutcracker, one is expected to be exuberant and prideful, while the other is shy and timid.

Barnes, who took on the role of the exuberant Cannon Doll, talked earlier this week about dipping his toes into the world of acting.

"I wanna explore, do different things in life," he told reporters on Tuesday. "It's gonna be a great experience for me. My family is gonna be there, and they're pretty excited."

Barnes was asked if he had any high school acting experience to prepare him for the role.

"Nah, I'll just be doing some commercials," he replied.

Aside from their big moment on stage last night, Barnes, Shead, and the Raptors have given the Raptors fanbase something to feel good about entering the holiday season.

They've been a surprise team in the NBA this far by rocketing up the standings this season, despite missing the playoffs for three straight seasons.

Even though they've endured a middling stretch of late, they still sit third overall in the Eastern Conference with a 17-11 record.