Barnes underwhelms in return from injury

The Toronto Raptors seemed in control, leading by as much as 10 points, before their offence faltered.

Cam Johnson spearheaded a 13-4 run in the final 2:24, propelling the Brooklyn Nets to a 101-94 victory on Thursday. It marked Toronto’s sixth consecutive defeat. Johnson dominated the fourth quarter with 15 points—just three shy of the Raptors’ total for the entire period.

“We conceded more points than in any other quarter,” said Scottie Barnes, who recorded two points, two turnovers, and three fouls in the final stretch. “That’s when we need to lock in, get stops, and avoid fouling. You have to stay solid.”

Johnson ended the game with a stellar 33 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, as Brooklyn (11-16) snapped a three-game losing streak. Ben Simmons contributed 12 points, seven assists, and five rebounds.

In his first game back after a sprained right ankle, Barnes tallied 16 points, six assists, and three rebounds for Toronto (7-21). Despite missing only two games, Barnes admitted he wasn’t entirely pain-free after taking a hard elbow to the hip during the game.

Ochai Agbaji led the Raptors with 20 points, including four three-pointers, while Gradey Dick added 19 points on an identical 4-for-8 shooting from beyond the arc.

Rookies Ja’Kobe Walter and Jonathan Mogbo started, bringing the lineup’s average age down to a franchise-record 22 years and 187 days. “It’s always a learning curve with a young group, but I enjoy playing alongside them,” said Agbaji, the team’s oldest starter at 24. “There’s an energy and determination that comes with being a younger team.”

The youthful lineup was a necessity, with RJ Barrett (illness) and Davion Mitchell (shoulder strain) sidelined.

Brooklyn centre Nic Claxton was ejected early in the second quarter after hurling a ball into the stands following a foul. He led the Nets at the time with seven points and five rebounds but was unable to control his frustration.

“He knows better,” said Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez. “We all have emotions, but the team relies on him. That can’t happen.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on 19 December 2024.