Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse sent a message to his rookie Scottie Barnes early on Friday night — and the rookie responded with a career night.
Looking either unable or unwilling to engage defensively early, Barnes got an early hook from Nick Nurse as the Washington Wizards jumped out to a 10-3 lead. Barnes got the message, though — when he was re-inserted into the lineup a few minutes later, he was a different player, more aggressive, and fully willing to use his size to have his way with any Wizards defender.
From halfway through the first quarter through the end of the third, Barnes poured in a career-high 27 points, on 17 shots, as the Raptors turned an early 12-point deficit into a 14-point lead heading into the final frame.