{"id":578068,"date":"2026-02-02T20:58:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T20:58:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/578068\/"},"modified":"2026-02-02T20:58:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T20:58:16","slug":"darko-rajakovic-shares-heartfelt-message-with-brandon-ingram-after-all-star-snub","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/578068\/","title":{"rendered":"Darko Rajakovic shares heartfelt message with Brandon Ingram after All-Star snub"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amidst the Toronto Raptors’ reported trade talks before this week’s deadline<\/a>, head coach Darko Rajakovic<\/a> gave veteran Brandon Ingram<\/a> a heartfelt message following his All-Star snub on Sunday. The NBA All-Star reserves were announced during the Raptors’ 107-100 win against the Utah Jazz. Toronto’s Scottie Barnes is heading to his second All-Star Game.<\/p>\n

Rajakovic consoled Ingram, while offering encourgement<\/a> during a Raptors timeout, before congraulating Barnes on his All-Star nod, per Raptors’ X, formerly Twitter.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou deserve it to be an All-Star. Keep that as a chip on your shoulder brother,\u201d Rajakovic said, before offering a \u201ccongrats\u201d to Barnes.<\/p>\n

Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic consoling Brandon Ingram who was not named an All-Star and congratulating Scottie Barnes who was named one \ud83d\udc4f<\/p>\n

\u201cYou deserve it to be an All-Star. Keep that as a chip on your shoulder brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCongrats man.\u201d<\/p>\n

(via @Raptors<\/a>)pic.twitter.com\/3H16hNzUnJ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Kind words from Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic, who believes there should be two players representing the Raptors during this month’s All-Star Game.<\/p>\n

Barnes joins Detroit Pistons’ Jalen Duren, Atlanta Hawks’ Jalen Johnson, Cleveland Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell, New York Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns, Toronto Raptors<\/a>‘ Norman Powell, and Indiana Pacers’ Pascal Siakam, as the rest of the Eastern Conference All-Star reserves. Barnes is averaging 19.3 points on a career-best 49.9% shooting, 8.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game this season.<\/p>\n

The starters include Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown, Knicks’ Jalen Brunson, Pistons’ Cade Cunningham, and Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey.<\/p>\n

Brandon Ingram reacts to All-Star snub after Raptors win\"RaptorsAlonzo Adams-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

After a seven-point win against the Jazz, Raptors All-Star Scottie Barnes reacted to Brandon Ingram’s All-Star snub. Ingram and Barnes have led the Raptors winning<\/a> five of their last seven games, including a 103-101 victor against the defending champion Thunder. At 30-21, Toronto has the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference standings.<\/p>\n

Still, Ingram says not making this year’s All-Star<\/a> team hurts, he said, per SportsNet’s Michael Grange.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the moment, of course, it stung,\u201d said Ingram. \u201cIt was hard to internalize during the game. I had to put it away and figure out the best way to be effective on the floor and win the game today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Amid the Raptors’ successful season, Barnes couldn’t believe his teammate’s name wasn’t announced alongside his.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know how [Ingram didn\u2019t make it]. He been balling. He does so much for out team, and being from where our team was last year [they equalled the 2024-25 total of 30 wins with Sunday\u2019s victory] to this year, his impact on our team is instrumental to our success,\u201d Barnes said. \u2018It\u2019s ridiculous that he\u2019s not there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Barnes, Ingram, and the Raptors will host the Timberwolves on Wednesday.<\/p>\n