New York Knicks 113, Toronto Raptors 108

It’s rare that an NBA trade actually works for everyone. In virtually every business there is someone who looks back with regret because they either paid too much or were short-sighted in a maneuver they thought at the time was a stroke of genius. And yet, almost a year after Toronto sent OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn to New York for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, no one is complaining about the deal.

“I think it was very important for us to have RJ, who is a really good scorer, he also fits his age group,” Raptors coach Darko Rajaković said before tipoff Monday night. “I think these two guys (Barrett and Immanuel Quickley) fit in really well with our team, they fit what we do on the field, the long-term strategic plan, we like our guys.”

Rightly so.

Although Quickley was sidelined for most of the year, his involvement in Toronto always made sense. He is the ideal sidekick for Scottie Barnes as a versatile combo guard who is comfortable both on offense and playing off the ball as a space-reaching shooting guard.

The real bonus was the emergence of Barrett, who exceeded any expectations Toronto had for him when the organization essentially acquired him as a salary filler in the industry. Against his former team, Barrett seemed to want New York to regret the deal, leading the Raptors with 30 points.

It was a typical Barrett performance as he kept getting inside against a Knicks defense that has struggled mightily this season. He got Toronto to 17 points before halftime and kept the Raptors going after Barnes left with an injury in the second half.

Barrett’s pressure at the rim late in the fourth quarter forced the Knicks to collapse before a three-pointer from Davion Mitchell brought Toronto within three points. As New York regained the lead, Barrett chose his own number and drove in a hard-fought layup with 40 seconds left.

But New York had the last laugh on Monday.

It was an Anunoby block on a late drive by Barrett that saved the Knicks from disaster. Moments later, Karl-Anthony Towns hit a three-pointer over Barrett’s outstretched arms and there was nothing Toronto could do about it.

Anunoby held up his end of the bargain for New York, although not quite as explosive offensively as his Raptors counterpart. He finished the night with 14 points, two steals and three blocks in 41 minutes.

Looking back, it’s hard to say that either team would back out of the deal if there was a rematch. New York certainly gave up a lot for Anunoby, but that’s the price for the type of two-way organizations that are coveted these days. For Toronto, the deal now appears to be a no-brainer, with franchise-altering benefits.

Just when the Raptors seemed to finally be reaching some consistency, injury struck again Monday night when Barnes twisted his right ankle while attempting to intercept a rebound when he collided with Karl-Anthony Towns in the third quarter. It was an ugly scene as Barnes was left lying there writhing in pain before being helped to the dressing room as he was unable to put pressure on his right foot.

Toronto ultimately ruled out Barnes pending a medical update.

Ja’Kobe Walter had the best performance of his rookie season with 19 points against the Knicks on Monday night. It was the first time this season that Walter really got going offensively, hitting 6 of 12 shots, including a crucial three-pointer that he fired on a catch-and-shoot look after diving around a screen from Jakob Poeltl had meandered around.

The 20-year-old first-round pick has often looked his age this year, but Monday’s performance was the game Toronto is hoping for

The Raptors will head to Miami for a quick trip on Thursday night when they take on the Heat at 7:30 p.m. ET.