Raptors upend Warriors behind Scottie Barnes’ historic triple-double

The Toronto Raptors snapped the Golden State Warriors three-game winning streak with a 141-127 overtime victory Sunday, Dec. 28, despite a 39-point performance from Stephen Curry.

The Raptors were led by Scottie Barnes, who notched a triple-double with 23 points, 25 rebounds and 10 assists. He also had three steals on Sunday. The leading scorers for Toronto on Sunday were Immanuel Quickley and Brandon Ingram with 27 and 26 points, respectively. Seven players for the Raptors scored in double-figures.

‘Too many turnovers,’ Curry told reporters after the game. ‘They turned up the pressure, and we didn’t have an answer down the stretch. Obviously credit them, they made enough plays, got to all the loose balls, offensive rebounds, extra possessions. You get down to the last possession it can kind of go either way.’

The Warriors played in their 110th ‘clutch game’ in the past three seasons, which is the most in the NBA. With the loss, the Warriors dropped to 6-11 in clutch games this season.

Golden State forwards Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler added 21 and 19 points.

The Warriors had 25 assists to 21 turnovers on the game and allowed 35 points off those turnovers. Golden State had a double digit lead in the fourth quarter, but it slowly dissipated. The Warriors (16-16) fall back to .500 as they look ahead to their next game against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, Dec. 29.

‘Yeah just turnovers. End of the third and end of the fourth, we just got scattered,’ Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said postgame. ‘I’ve got to get us better organized during those stretches. That’s on me. They turned up the pressure, we didn’t handle it well and they scored 35 points off turnovers.’

The Raptors move to 19-14 and prepare for their next regular-season matchup against the Orland0 Magic on Monday.

Scottie Barnes’ historic performance

Barnes led the Raptors come back in the fourth quarter. He was grabbing rebounds and cleaning the glass like he was in a Windex commercial. Barnes’ career-high 25 rebounds tied Bismack Biyombo for most rebounds in a game in Raptors’ history.

He also entered elite company with his performance. Barnes joined Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić as the only players since Maurice Lucas in 1980 with at least 20 points, 25 rebounds and 10 assists in a game.

Additionally, since 2000, only Jokić, Russell Westbrook, DeMarcus Cousins and now Barnes are the only players to tally a game with at least 20 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals.

Warriors vs Raptors highlights

1st quarter highlights 

The Warriors played relatively good defense to start the game, but credit the Raptors for making shots, getting out in transition and opening the quarter strong. 

After the first period, the Raptors led 33-29.

2nd quarter highlights 

The Warriors’ defense really began to settle in the second quarter. They were physical, they got steals and stops, overall. However, it wasn’t enough as the Raptors continued to knock down shots, shooting 55% from the field. 

The Raptors got out in transition, scoring 11 fast break points. They scored 34 points in the paint, getting to the basket at will. At the half, the Raptors led, 65-64, against the Warriors.

There were seven lead changes and six ties. 

Brandon Ingram had 12 points for Toronto, while R.J. Barrett scored 10 in the first half. Scottie Barnes had nine points, six assists and 12 rebounds. 

Golden State was led by Stephen Curry with 15 points. Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green have 12 and 10 points, respectively. 

3rd quarter highlights 

The Warriors went on a 17-4 run, which included back-to-back three-pointers from Green, to open the third quarter. 

Golden State was in sync defensively as guys were rotating and closing out shooters. The Warriors looked to be running away with the game, but the Raptors pushed the Warriors into multiple late-quarter turnovers with a burst of intensity on defense.

Turnovers turned into easy points for Toronto, as they scored eight unanswered to end the quarter, cutting the Warriors lead to 100-96.

4th quarter highlights

In the opening minutes of the final period, the Warriors went back to the style of play – defense and high percentage looks.

Their lead grew to 10, but the Raptors didn’t go away, capitalizing any time the Warriors turned the ball over. Toronto’s big three of Barrett, Ingram and Barnes carried the Raptors as far as they could.

A key player was Warriors rookie Will Richard who impacted the game by getting steals, rebounds and drawing fouls in the process.

When the big moments crept in, the stars arrived. Timely big shots were delivered from Butler and Curry to help the Warriors hang onto their lead. But the Raptors answered with needed defensive stops, causing turnovers and generating easy points. Quickley connected on a three-pointer to tie the game at 120 with 46.1 seconds left.

Curry missed a go-ahead three, but Brandin Podziemski pulled down an offensive rebound and putback layup to give the Warriors a 122-120 lead with 32.8 remaining.

Ingram missed a three on the other end, but Barnes was there for the tip-in to tie the game at 122-122.

Curry was called for an offensive foul after swinging his elbow on a rip through and appeared to make contact with Jamal Shead. Ingram missed a go-ahead fadeaway three-point shot and sent the game into overtime.

Overtime

The Raptors opened the extra period with consecutive buckets, going on a 10-0 run. The Warriors could not keep Barnes, who had a career-high 25 rebounds, off the glass.

The Warriors continued to throw the ball away, and Toronto took advantage each time. The Raptors scored 35 points off of 21 Golden State turnovers en route to the141-127 victory.

Recap: Warriors keys

• Sharing is caring: When the Warriors are playing unselfish basketball and everyone is involved, they are tough to beat. In their last game against the Mavericks, Golden State had 33 team assists and seven players scored in double figures. On Sunday, the Warriors committed 21 turnovers and had 23 assists, while the Raptors had 40 assists.
• Defensive identity: This team has thrived whenever their defense has been a focal point. In an era overshadowed by a barrage of three-pointers, the Warriors’ true identity is on the defensive end. They know it’s the way to win games. The Warriors tallied nine blocks and nine steals, however they gave up offensive rebounds, allowing Toronto second chance buckets.
• Attack early: Make the Raptors defense become slowly obsolete by attacking early and often. Take and make good shots. The Warriors shot 28 free throws.
• Next man up, stay ready: Key players for Golden State are ruled out due to injury. It’s up to other players on the roster to remain ready and have a ‘next man up’ mentality when they’re called into the game. Will Richard scored 10 points, seven rebounds and five steals against the Raptors off the bench.

Warriors next five games

• Dec. 29 at Brooklyn Nets
• Dec. 31 at Charlotte Hornets
• Jan. 2 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
• Jan. 3 vs. Utah Jazz
• Jan. 5 at Los Angeles Clippers