Toronto Raptors coach blasts officiating after Barnes' career-high performance

The Kawhi-less Toronto Raptors suffered a tough home loss to the Orlando Magic on Friday, despite Scottie Barnes putting up a career-high 41 points.

And Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic wasn't happy with how the game was called.

Speaking with the media after the loss, Rajakovic didn't mince words when asked about the officiating.

"A player that gets 34 shots and scores 41 points [only] goes to the free-throw line three times; that's kind of BS, to be honest with you," Rajakovic said.

#Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic calls out the officiating after Toronto’s #NBACup loss to the #Magic. “A player scores 41 points and goes to the free throw line 3 times, that's kind of BS, to be honest with you. “They got to the free throw line 29 times. We got to the free throw line 15 times.”

— Marley Dickinson (@marleydickinson) October 31, 2026

The discrepancy between fouls called was hard to ignore in Toronto's seven-point loss. The Magic attempted 29 free throws, while the Raptors had just 15.

"I don't think that we're a more physical or a more aggressive team than them [tonight]. I think that both teams played really aggressive, good basketball, and I think that the criteria should be the same on both ends of the floor," Rajakovic added.

Barnes also made history with his performance, tying a Raptors franchise record for the fewest free-throw attempts in a 40-point game. It's a mark Vince Carter previously had since the 2000-01 season.

When asked about the foul calls, Barnes had a pretty honest response. The two-time All-Star shook his head and said he's "raging on the inside."

"I think for me being that aggressive and only shooting three free throws is kinda crazy," Barnes said.

I think Scottie agrees (re: the officiating) “I think being that aggressive and only shooting 3 free throws is kinda crazy. It just wasn’t going our way. It is what it is… It’s tough out there… I think that’s enough for me to say. I’m raging on the inside.” https://t.co/jXNrOyYlMo

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) October 31, 2026

"It just wasn't going our way. It is what it is. I think that's enough for me to say. I'm raging on the inside."

Barnes' 41 points surpassed his previous career high of 35, which he recorded against the San Antonio Spurs during the 2024-25 season. Despite the loss, the Raptors star said setting a new career-high in points was a goal for his 2026-27 campaign.

"Before the season, I told myself I wanted to break that," Barnes said.

"I'm just trying to be more aggressive out there."

Barnes was Toronto's only player to score more than 20 points on the night, while RJ Barrett struggled to find his rhythm after an impressive run in the previous four games.

The Raptors will now head west for a four-game road trip before returning home on Nov. 9 to face the Memphis Grizzlies.