Raptors lose thriller to visiting Knicks as Barnes leaves game with 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.

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.

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.