2025-26 Season
RJ BARRETT
2025-26 Season
RJ BARRETT
PBP Credit: Every play is analyzed from play-by-play data. Scorers get difficulty-adjusted credit, assisters get creation value based on the shot opportunity they created, and turnovers are classified by type. Shot difficulty is derived from 1M+ shots across 4 seasons. Full methodology
TEAM COMPARISON
of 14 teammates (10+ games, 10+ min)
Similar Players
Same position, closest production profile this season.
SKILL DNA
Percentile rank vs 234 Forwards with 10+ games
THE SEASON SO FAR
RJ Barrett’s opening stretch of the season was defined by extreme volatility, oscillating wildly between unstoppable bully-ball efficiency and momentum-killing tunnel vision. When he embraced his physical advantages, he looked like a star. Look no further than his 10/22 vs ATL performance, where phenomenal shot selection fueled a massive +10.9 impact score as he anchored the offense with 25 points on just 12 field goal attempts. However, that offensive value frequently vanished when he opted to play hero ball against set defenses. During a disastrous 10/29 vs HOU outing, Barrett posted a brutal -10.2 impact score because he stubbornly forced contested drives into traffic, racking up misses that completely derailed the team's momentum. Even when he managed to put the ball in the hoop, hidden defensive costs often dragged his metrics into the red. Despite a respectable 16-point scoring night on 10/26 vs DAL, he suffered a severely negative -7.0 impact score because Dallas mercilessly targeted him in pick-and-roll coverage. He remains a frustratingly inconsistent weapon who can win you a game with straight-line drives on Monday and shoot you out of the gym by Wednesday.
A maddening tug-of-war between relentless downhill dominance and self-sabotaging tunnel vision defined RJ Barrett's midseason stretch. He routinely undermined his own box score with stubborn decision-making in heavy traffic. Take the 02/08 vs IND matchup, where he dropped 20 points but posted a -2.9 impact score because his forced drives resulted in blocked shots and live-ball turnovers that ignited the opposing fast break. Yet, Barrett occasionally found ways to salvage his value when his jumper completely abandoned him. During the 01/23 vs POR game, a dismal 0-for-5 night from deep capped him at just 10 points, but he still scratched out a +2.0 impact mark by leaning heavily into a massive +16.8 defensive rating. When he finally paired his physical slashing with efficient finishing, the results were spectacular. He punctuated this run with an absolute offensive masterclass on 03/08 vs DAL, hanging 31 points on 13-of-19 shooting to generate a staggering +11.2 impact score through relentless rim pressure.
IMPACT TIMELINE
Game-by-game performance vs average. Green = above average, red = below.
Very consistent. Barrett posts positive impact in 76% of games — you almost always get a productive night. Scoring varies by ~6 points, but the overall contribution stays positive.
Middle-of-the-road efficiency — shoots 45%+ from the field in 64% of games. Not automatic, but not a problem either.
Good defender on his best nights, but it comes and goes. Some games Barrett locks in defensively, others he gets picked apart.
Slight upward trend. First-half impact: +6.8, second-half: +9.0. Modest improvement — possibly settling into a rhythm.
Hot right now — 4 straight games with positive impact. Longest positive run this season: 11 games.
MATCHUP HISTORY
Based on 51 games with tracking data. Shows who guarded this player on offense and who he guarded on defense, with their shooting stats in those matchups.
ON OFFENSE: WHO GUARDED HIM
His shooting stats against each primary defender this season
ON DEFENSE: WHO HE GUARDED
How opponents shot when he was the primary defender. Lower FG% = better defense.
SEASON STATS
GAME LOG
58 games played
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