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March 23, 2021Updated 1:04 PM EDT

Raptors mull disciplining Pascal Siakam for verbal spat with Nick Nurse

By Shams Charania and The Athletic Staff


Editor's note: Several hours after the initial report, a source close to the situation offered clarification that Siakam had not been officially fined yet. The team maintains that they are still mulling disciplinary action.

The Toronto Raptors are mulling discipline for star forward Pascal Siakam after a verbal altercation with head coach Nick Nurse after Sunday’s loss in Cleveland.

The incident occurred while the Raptors were leaving the floor following an 11-point loss on Sunday night against the Cavaliers. Stemming from the frustration amid what is now a nine-game losing streak, Siakam directed a verbal exchange that included several choice words toward Nurse, multiple sources confirmed.

Siakam, an All-Star last season, is the Raptors' second-leading scorer (19.8 points per game) and leading rebounder (7.3 per game). The Raptors are 17-26 and 11th in the Eastern Conference.

The blossoming young star has dealt with being benched multiple times during his career as a Raptor. Siakam was benched at the end of Game 5 of the NBA Finals in 2019 due to his defensive effort, and on Sunday was benched in the fourth quarter. As the team left the floor, Siakam’s frustrations boiled over.

Siakam has been disciplined once already this season. The 26-year-old was held out of a game against the Knicks on Dec. 31 as a result of him walking off the floor early after fouling out of a previous game.

Is this a symptom of a frustrating season?

Eric Koreen, Raptors beat writer: Having to move your lives over across the continent with a few weeks notice? Starting the season 2-8, losing a few coin-flip games in the process? Losing three essential players and a bunch of coaches to COVID-19 protocols just as the Raptors began to roll? That'll do a number on any team, especially when that team hasn't failed often recently. Siakam struggled in the bubble, and has spoken about the mental toll the pandemic has taken on him. You can't wave everything away by saying "Tampa," but it's a big part of things.

The big picture

Koreen: Siakam is in the first year of a four-year max deal. His season has been more disappointing than not, but he has taken some meaningful leaps, especially as a playmaker. With an increased role comes increased off-court responsibility and he needs to learn from ex-teammates like DeMar DeRozan and Marc Gasol and current teammates such as Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet on that front. Both Siakam and Nurse should be Raptors for a while, though, and they both need each other. They're both smart enough to know that, too.

What's next?

Blake Murphy, Raptors beat writer: There isn't much more to do on the Siakam front. This is a symptom of a larger issue, though, and that's something the team probably needs to remedy by Thursday. If nothing else, emphatically choosing a lane should at least provide some certainty and direction for the final two months of the season. Lowry and Norman Powell could both conceivably be on the move. That doesn't change Siakam's long-term place in the franchise, but it could mean more frustrating days ahead. Maybe it's an opportunity for growth, individually or in the relationship with Nurse.

(Photo: Ken Blaze / USA Today)