Raptors lose thriller to Knicks, Barnes suffers ankle sprain

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In a battle of attrition and on a night when the margin for error grew thinner with every fourth-quarter possession, the Raptors and visiting New York Knicks went shot for shot and blow for blow by exchanging runs in an entertaining matchup.

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

The disappointments involved a right ankle sprain to Scottie Barnes that knocked him out of the game. Soon afterward, Knicks star Jalen Brunson was forced to the locker-room with an undisclosed ailment. He did return to the bench area and would re-enter the game midway through the fourth quarter.

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

For most of the night, RJ Barrett was carrying the offensive load for the Raptors.

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In crunch time, several players stepped up, though it was Barrett’s 30th point on the night that tied the game at 108-108. He had a chance to tie the game for a second time, but Barrett’s attempt was blocked at the rim by former Raptor OG Anunoby.

There have been stretches this season where the Raptors have looked more like a playoff-contending team than a team in the midst of a rebuild.

One such time arrived when playing the Knicks, evoking memories of last year’s trade between the two teams.

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Toronto began the night by playing well on both ends of the floor only to see the visitors end the opening quarter by going on a run to forge a seven-point advantage.

The Raptors flipped the script in the second quarter when no turnover was committed and a 61-60 lead was established going into halftime.

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

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

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