- The Toronto Raptors lost to the New York Knicks 113-108, with Scottie Barnes suffering a sprained right ankle and leaving the game
- Barnes had scored 15 points in 23 minutes before his injury, and initial X-rays did not reveal a fracture, but he will be evaluated further
- The Raptors went 2-9 without Barnes earlier in the season
- The game featured a dramatic ending, with OG Anunoby blocking RJ Barrett’s shot, and then Karl-Anthony Towns hitting the game-winner on the other end
- The Knicks improved to 15-9, while the Raptors dropped to 7-18
Key Takeaways:
The Toronto Raptors suffered a tough loss to the New York Knicks, falling 113-108 in a game that saw Scottie Barnes leave with a sprained right ankle. Barnes, the 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year, had been having a strong season, averaging career highs of 21 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 7.8 assists. He had scored 15 points in 23 minutes before his injury, which is a concern for the Raptors, who rely heavily on him.
Karl-Anthony Towns knocked down the clutch triple to seal the @nyknicks' 15th win of the season in a thriller in Toronto 🗽
Bridges: 23 PTS, 5 3PM
Brunson: 20 PTS, 11 AST
Barrett: 30 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST pic.twitter.com/vDRl5exUXY— NBA (@NBA) December 10, 2024
The game was a significant one, given the history between the two teams. Last December, the Raptors and Knicks were involved in a big trade, with the Raptors sending OG Anunoby to the Knicks for a package including RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and draft picks. The trade was a major storyline in the game, and it was fitting that Anunoby played a key role in the dramatic ending. With the game on the line, Anunoby blocked RJ Barrett’s shot, only for Karl-Anthony Towns to hit the game-winner on the other end.
The loss drops the Raptors to 7-18 balance as the Knicks improve to 15-9. In the meantime, Toronto will look to regroup and prepare for their next game against the Miami Heat on Thursday, while New York will face Atlanta on Wednesday in an NBA Cup quarter-final clash.