Nick Nurse is offering up some tough love for one of his star players tonight.
Pascal Siakam is being benched for tonight’s game against the New York Knicks, according to a report from The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
The Toronto Raptors decided to sit All-Star Pascal Siakam tonight vs. New York as a disciplinary measure, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Siakam exited the floor early after fouling out Tuesday in Philadelphia.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 1, 2021
Siakam is healthy, but won’t play, as discipline for leaving the floor early last game, according to Charania. Siakam fouled out late in the Raptors’ loss to Philadelphia on Tuesday, but instead of remaining on the bench, he went straight to the locker room.
Tonight’s @Invisalign starting lineup. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/2I8BbSPn7i
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 1, 2021
Norman Powell is taking Siakam’s spot in the starting lineup, as pressure mounts on the Raptors in just their fourth game of the season. The Raptors are 0-3 to start the season for the first time in 15 years, blowing double digit leads in all three games to New Orleans, San Antonio, and Philadelphia.