Toronto Raptors no match for the New York Knicks in reunion game

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Following two significant trades, the Raptors no longer stand in the same class as the New York Knicks (if they even did previously this season). Toronto hung around at Madison Square Garden for a while, but the game never seemed too much in doubt. Here’s the report card:

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RJ BARRETT B-

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It was not a surprise to see Barrett step up at MSG, his former home. The crowd showed the love and Barrett had many good moments. He’s been far better than advertised as a rebounder since becoming a Raptor. What can’t happen again, and Barrett said as much after the game, was 3-for-9 shooting from the free-throw line. Still, Barrett shows up when the lights are bright and that’s a good thing.

GRADEY DICK B-

The most welcome sight in this game from a Toronto perspective was Dick building on some good minutes with his best overall game yet. Dick looks a lot more confident and assertive and he was productive in his 16 minutes. After starting his career 11-for-44 from three, Dick is 5-for-10 this month. He’s going to get consistent minutes the rest of the way. Let’s see what he can do.

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GARY TRENT JR. B-

Trent rebounded from a dismal shooting game with a nice effort. He hit four three-pointers and six of 10 shots overall. It’s still up in the air whether he will be a Raptor beyond this season. On the right contract he fits the timeline and could help with his scoring, but it also makes sense that he could be on the move so Toronto can make sure it doesn’t risk letting him walk in free agency for nothing.

IMMANUEL QUICKLEY C+

Quickley handed out 11 assists, tied for his season high and nailed half his shots, but was still soundly outplayed by Jalen Brunson, the man who left no room for him in New York. Quickley was better than most of his teammates, but he has another gear that he’s shown.

BRUCE BROWN C+

Brown was fine. Not as good as he played in his debut, but not terrible. Still, nobody will submit tape of this one to other teams sniffing around Brown at the trade deadline. He can be a lot better. Teams know what Brown can do, though, and Toronto has been receiving offers for him, sources say. A 2024 first-round pick likely won’t get a deal done, but a first in another year could. Or he might just stick around since he’s a good fit.

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CHRIS BOUCHER C-

Boucher is likely in his final weeks as a Raptor. He just turned 31, hasn’t been utilized much by Darko Rajakovic and is more valuable to a playoff team than to the Raptors. If somebody wants him, he will go. The issue is the guaranteed contract for next season, though it’s at a quite affordable number for the energy player.

SCOTTIE BARNES C-

Life as a franchise player isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Everybody has their sights set on Barnes now, he doesn’t have much of a supporting cast and sometimes he just isn’t going to have it. This was one of those times. He couldn’t hit a shot, continued to have issues holding on to the ball and played without his usual force.

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JONTAY PORTER C-

Porter has been a revelation, but this might have been his toughest night in the NBA yet. His weakness so far has been rebounding — it’s not all his fault, but minus Jakob Poeltl Toronto has been getting absolutely destroyed on the boards. Porter is a better shooter than he’s shown so far, including in this one. You can certainly see why he was considered a first-round pick before his first injury.

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DENNIS SCHRODER D

Woof. Probably Schroder’s worst game of the season. Definitely the least visible or impactful he’s been. Schroder just didn’t really do anything and only played 23 minutes.

INC: Thad Young, Garrett Temple, Jordan Nwora, Jalen McDaniels.

THREE STARS

1. Brunson.

2. Julius Randle.

3. Barrett.

HM: Dick, Precious Achiuwa, OG Anunoby.

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