Article content

In a battle of attrition and on a night where the margin for error diminished with each possession in the fourth quarter, the Raptors and the visiting New York Knicks went shot for shot and shot for shot by exchanged runs in an entertaining duel.

Article content

It was the only game on the NBA schedule on Monday night and the teams did not disappoint in a thrilling game that ultimately saw the Knicks prevail 113-108.

Among the disappointments was a sprained right ankle for Scottie Barnes, which knocked him out of the game. Shortly afterward, Knicks star Jalen Brunson was forced into the locker room with an undisclosed illness. He returned to the bench and re-entered the game midway through the fourth quarter.

Brunson then scored a four-point play with three minutes left to give New York a one-point lead.

For most of the evening, RJ Barrett carried the Raptors’ offensive load.

Article content

In the decisive phase, several players stepped up, although it was Barrett’s 30th point of the evening that brought the game to 108:108. He had a chance to tie the game a second time, but Barrett’s attempt was blocked at the rim by former Raptor OG Anunoby.

There were times this season when the Raptors looked more like a team playing in the playoffs than a team in the midst of a rebuild.

One such moment came during the game against the Knicks and brought back memories of the trade between the two teams last year.

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

We’re sorry, but this video failed to load.

Play video

Toronto started the night with good play on both ends of the floor, only to see the visitors end the first quarter with a run to take a seven-point lead.

The Raptors flipped the script in the second quarter when there was no turnover and built a 61-60 lead by halftime.

Midway through the third quarter, Barnes rolled his right ankle as he landed on the foot of Karl-Anthony Towns during an attempted block.

After trainers came to check on Barnes, he had to leave the game without putting any weight on his foot.

Share this article on your social network