Nets spoil Siakam’s return with 116-103 win

Pascal Siakam said his legs felt heavy. He joked that he ran out of breath about three minutes in.

TORONTO – Pascal Siakam said his legs felt heavy. He joked that he ran out of breath about three minutes in.

But after his off-season shoulder surgery that “felt like the end of the world,” and playing his first game at Scotiabank Arena since COVID-19 shuttered the NBA in March of 2020, Siakam was just happy to be back.

The one thing missing was a win.

Kevin Durant had 13 of his 31 points in a decisive third quarter and the Brooklyn Nets spoiled Siakam’s return with a 116-103 victory on Sunday.

“Obviously I’m super happy and super excited to be back in Toronto,” Siakam said. “It’s been so long, playing in this arena, and just playing with my teammates and seeing the fans. It was a great moment and obviously wanted to get a win. But it is what it is.”

Fred VanVleet scored 21 points to top Toronto (6-5) while OG Anunoby added 16 points and eight rebounds.

Siakam finished with 15 points on 5-for-12 shooting, in his first game in six months. VanVleet wrapped Siakam in a huge hug before they ran onto the floor for warmup. Siakam received a warm ovation during the introduction of starters.

“Felt good, first time in a long time,” Siakam said. “I remember Alex (McKechnie, Raptors VP of player health and performance) was telling me ‘Oh you have to get a surgery,’ and it was my first surgery, obviously super scared, I remember crying, I don’t think I’ve cried like that since my dad passed away.”