Nikola Jokic just gave Toronto Raptors' Barnes a huge compliment

Toronto Raptors star Scottie Barnes may not have received the defensive recognition he felt he deserved last season, but he's getting major respect from some of the league's best players.

Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic had some serious praise for Barnes' game following Denver's 19-point win over Toronto on Wednesday.

Speaking with reporters after the game, the Nuggets centre went on a tangent about how the role of a traditional big man in the NBA is decreasing and praised Barnes for his ability as a smaller-sized forward to guard anyone on the court.

"You need to give credit to Scottie Barnes. He's a really unusual player. In one possession, he was pressing our point guard; the next, he was guarding our big man," Jokic said.

Nikola Jokic giving some great insight on why he believes the low-post game will be nonexistent in a few years because of the amount of physicality allowed on defense now. Also he gives Scottie Barnes his flowers for how special, and unique, he is as a defender.

— Swipa (@SwipaCam) November 5, 2026

"He's a really versatile defender with a long wingspan, who can defend, contest your shot and has quick hands. He's a really, really, really, really good defender, and [Toronto] is using him in a lot of different situations."

Jokic isn't wrong. Through the Raptors' first eight games, the two-time All-Star has been one of the league's most disruptive defenders.

Barnes ranks fifth in the NBA in total steals, averaging 2.3 per game, while Toronto is among the league leaders in forced turnover percentage — sitting second.

The 25-year-old picked up this season right where he left off last year, when he was left off the NBA's All-Defensive First Team.

Toronto Raptors Scottie Barnes (David Dermer/Imagn Images)

"It felt disrespectful that I didn't make it, but I know for sure I'll be on there this year — I'll make that statement," Barnes said during training camp.

"I know I'm one of the best defensive players in the world. I do what I do. I know I make an impact on that floor every single night."

The Raptors will wrap up their four-game road trip Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks in NBA Cup action before returning to Scotiabank Arena on Nov. 9 to host the Memphis Grizzlies.