Toronto Raptors All-Star forward Pascal Siakam was held out of his team's game against the New York Knicks on Thursday.
Disciplinary reasons were cited for Siakam's absence from the Raptors' lineup, according to 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
Norman Powell started in place of Siakam for the Raptors, while OG Anunoby moved to power forward.
As Charania noted, Siakam left Tuesday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers early after fouling out. According to Sportsnet's Michael Grange, Raptors head coach Nick Nurse's decision was related to Siakam heading straight to the locker room after fouling out.
My understanding is the decision to sit Siakam is response to him waking off the floor after Sixers game. Team decision, expectation is Siakam will be available next game. Siakam was told of decision earlier today and is understanding of it.
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) January 1, 2021
Entering Thursday, the Raptors had lost three of their first four games of the 2020-21 season. Siakam has averaged 18.7 points, nine rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game through three games.
The 26-year old was named to his first All-Star game in 2019-20, averaging 22.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists per game for the Raptors.
In the bubble playoffs, Siakam posted 17 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, shooting 39.6 percent from the field and 18.9 percent from downtown. The Raptors were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in seven games.
In 2018-19, Siakam won the league's Most Improved Player of the Year award, then helped Toronto win the franchise's first NBA championship.
At time of writing, Toronto leads New York (2-2) in the second quarter at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. Powell made four of his first seven shots for nine points.
Siakam signed a four-year, $130-million extension before the 2019-20 season. Whether he can prove himself to be a no. 1 offensive option — especially in crunch-time — will be a major factor in determining Toronto's ability to contend in 2021.
Raptors head coach Nick Nurse did not tell the media that he was going to bench Siakam ahead of the Knicks matchup.
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