Siakam helps Pacers rally past Raptors in Toronto return

Pascal Siakam has nothing but love and respect for the people of Toronto and the Raptors players and staff who he used to work with.

But there was no way he was leaving Toronto without a win.

Siakam had 23 points to lead his Indiana Pacers past the Raptors 127-125 on Wednesday in his first game against his former team since being traded away last month. The 29-year-old Siakam was celebrated all day but, in the back of his head, he knew what he had to do.

“You don’t want to come in and lose and it was a thing on my mind,” said Siakam with a grin. “When everyone was telling me like, ‘Oh, man, I’m so happy to see you’ in my head I’m just like ‘I’ve got to get a win. I can’t lose this game.’”

Siakam also had seven assists and five rebounds for Indiana (31-25). He was traded from the Raptors on Jan. 17 in a blockbuster deal that effectively ended Toronto’s 2019 championship era.

Tyrese Haliburton and Isaiah Jackson each had a double-double for the Pacers. Haliburton scored 21 points and added 12 assists, with Jackson adding 15 points with 11 boards. Andrew Nembhard of Aurora, Ont., had 14 points, five assists and three rebounds.

Siakam said Haliburton has really impressed him in his first 14 games with Indiana.

“I’ve been around the league a while and he’s one of those guys that’s all about getting the win,” he said. “That’s rare and special in a young player.”

Scottie Barnes had a double-double with 29 points and 12 rebounds for Toronto (19-36). RJ Barrett of Mississauga, Ont., had 23 points and nine boards.

Barnes, who had become the face of the Raptors and the focal point of the team’s offence since Siakam’s departure, said it was “kind of weird” to play against his friend and former teammate.

“It was emotional but we’re both really good competitors and we both want to win and we want to take it to the floor every time we step on the floor,” said Barnes. “Very competitive today. It felt amazing though.

“They were competitive and we were really competitive. Both teams just really wanted to win.”

CANADIAN PRESS PHOTO XX Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes drives past Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam during first half NBA basketball action in Toronto on Wednesday.