Three-Time MVP Credits Scottie Barnes In Raptors' Loss to Nuggets

The Toronto Raptors hoped to have a chance against one of the NBA's best in the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night with Jakob Poeltl able to take the court in spite of his shoulder bursitis, but that didn't turn out to be the case as they suffered a disappointing 128-109 loss.

Having Poeltl back didn't make much of a difference as Nuggets center Nikola Jokić feasted. The three-time MVP recorded his third triple-double this year, scoring 32 points with 11 assists and 10 rebounds. He also went 13-for-19 from the field and led Denver with three steals on the night as the Raptors coughed up the ball 15 times.

Still, Jokić took the time to give his respect to Raptors forward Scottie Barnes in a conversation with Michael Grange of Sportsnet following the matchup.

"You need to give credit to Scottie Barnes," Jokić said. "He's a really unusual player, who on one possession was pressing our point guard and on other possessions, he's guarding our big man. He's a very versatile defender with a long wingspan who can still contest your shot. Quick hands. He's a really, really good defender and they're using him in really a lot of situations."

Barnes logged 17 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals while going 7-for-15 from the field. Unfortunately, he also led Toronto in turnovers, committing five total.

One rough night doesn't erase the excellent year Barnes is having so far. He's averaged 23.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, figures that are already a step forward from last year when he averaged 18.1 ppg. 

Besides Barnes, RJ Barrett was another contributor for this young Raptors squad, mustering a team-best 22 points. The 26-year-old also grabbed five rebounds and made three assists. However, the rest of the team didn't have an answer for Jokić's physicality or the resiliency of Denver's offense.

They entered halftime with a narrow 67-64 lead, but the Nuggets went on a tear during the third quarter, outscoring the Raptors' offense 41-15 and shooting 68.2% from the field in comparison to Toronto's 22%.

With that, the Raptors fell to 4-4 overall during a season where expectations have been a lot higher after they reunited with superstar Kawhi Leonard in the offseason via a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers.

While losing him injury definitely hurts for Toronto, the Raptors' lineup must find ways to keep producing amid the 35-year-old's absence.