RJ Barrett caught on video destroying the sign on his way to the locker room

The frustration finally boiled over RJ Barrett on Thursday night. After another disappointing defeat, c Toronto RaptorsA fourth straight loss to open the 2025-26 NBA season, Barrett was seen kicking and tearing down a sign on the wet floor in anger as he walked to the locker room, a moment that quickly went viral on social media.

Barrett, who finished with 10 points in the loss, was visibly emotional as he walked off the floor. The Raptors fell 139-121 to the Houston Rockets in a game that once again exposed their lack of rebounding and defensive presence inside.

Cameras caught Barrett muttering under his breath before launching a a quick swipe at the yellow caution sign near the tunnel, releasing it into flight while staff members watched.

It’s a rare public outburst from Barrett, who is usually calm and composed on and off the field. But it is also understandable; The Raptors have now dropped four straight after winning their opening matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, and frustrations are mounting as they continue to struggle to find a rhythm early in the season.

The team’s problems were magnified in Houston, where Toronto was demolished on the boards, losing the rebounding battle 53-22. Despite shooting an impressive 21-of-40 from beyond the arc, the Raptors couldn’t keep up with the Rockets’ physicality or energy.

Adding to the team’s woes, starting center Jakob Poeltl missed the game with lower back pain, forcing rookie Collin Murray-Boiles in his first career start. While the rookie impressed with 13 points, Toronto’s interior defense and rebounding were big hits without Poeltl anchoring the paint.

Barrett’s reaction, while extreme, reflects a dressing room that is undoubtedly feeling the pressure. Toronto was outplayed in almost every major statistical category over the past week, and with games against Cleveland and Memphis looming, the schedule doesn’t get any easier.

For Barrett and the Raptors, the challenge now will be channeling that frustration into focus. As coach Darko Rajakovic said after the defeat: “We have to learn to respond, not react. Barrett’s fiery moment was certainly the last, but maybe, just maybe, that’s the spark that Toronto needs to wake up.”