Raptors-Nuggets matchup: Scottie Barnes gets into a fight with Aaron Gordon, Russell Westbrook

On By Littum

The Nuggets have reason to be frustrated after opening their season with back-to-back losses, but it was Raptors star Scottie Barnes who nearly let his emotions get the best of him as Toronto tried to fend off Denver on Monday evening.

Barnes got into a scuffle with Aaron Gordon after trying to get in Russell Westbrook’s face and found himself in the middle of a skirmish that eventually involved everyone on the court.

The Raptors led by five when Barnes got into it with the Nuggets veterans, and they nearly sent Denver 0-3 in what would have been a significant upset. Denver forced overtime behind a last-second layup from Canadian guard Jamal Murray and prevailed 127-125.

Here’s a look at the bad blood between the Raptors and Nuggets from Monday’s game.

SN’s NBA Headquarters: Live NBA scores | Updated NBA standings | Full NBA schedule

Raptors-Nuggets match video

Taking exception to a hard foul from Westbrook, Barnes quickly came back up from the baseline and came to blows with the former MVP.

Gordon stepped in and went after Barnes, with the pair attempting to push and shove before assistant coaches put a quick end to the incident. An official stepped between Barnes and Gordon, and Barnes was pulled away from the scrum by Raptors trainers.

Interestingly, Barnes’ teammates eventually stepped in to separate him from Westbrook on Monday, but they weren’t quick to defend him like Gordon defended Westbrook. Barnes appeared to be alone in taking issue with Westbrook’s foul, but he wasn’t going to let it slide.

It was just the start of a physical night for Barnes as he later took an accidental elbow to the face from Nikola Jokic and had to leave the game. On the field, however, Barnes did everything he could. He finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists and five steals to keep the Raptors right there with the Nuggets.

The Raptors have seen Barnes come into his own as a franchise leader since the start of last season, but victory still eludes Toronto as Masai Ujiri and the front office try to build around the Florida State product.