Scottie Barnes 'can't wait' to watch former Raptors Pascal Siakam, O.G. Anunoby face off in 2024 NBA Playoffs

Scott Rafferty

Scottie Barnes 'can't wait' to watch former Raptors Pascal Siakam, O.G. Anunoby face off in 2024 NBA Playoffs image

The second-round matchup between the Pacers and Knicks should be a good one.

Both teams took care of business in the first round in six games. Indiana outlasted a Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Milwaukee squad while New York battled with Philadelphia in a series for the ages.

Now, Tom Thibodeau's gritty Knicks will face Rick Carlisle's speedy Pacers. There's no shortage of star power in the series, headlined by a point guard battle between Jalen Brunson, who has recorded three straight 40-point games, and Tyrese Haliburton.

That's not the only matchup to watch, though. For the Knicks to defeat the Pacers, they will have to slow down two-time All-Star Pascal Siakam, a task that will likely fall on the shoulders of defensive ace O.G. Anunoby.

Adding to the fun is that the two are very familiar with each other's games because they used to be teammates on the Raptors. And one of their former teammates appears to be excited to watch them go head-to-head.

In response to a Raptors fan asking who they should root for, Scottie Barnes said he "cant wait to watch this" with a GIF of Shaquille O'Neal attached.

PREDICTION: Can Indiana handle New York's physicality?

How long were Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby teammates?

The Raptors selected Siakam with the No. 27 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. A year later, the franchise drafted Anunoby with the No. 23 pick.

The two were teammates in Toronto between 2017-18 and 2023-24, playing a total of 385 games together. They were both traded at the 2024 trade deadline, with Siakam being sent to Indiana and Anunoby being sent to New York.

Siakam and Anunoby were part of Toronto's 2019 roster that won the first championship in franchise history.

Siakam and Anunoby have yet to play against each other as opponents.

When is Game 1 of Knicks vs. Pacers?

  • Date: Monday, May 6
  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET | 4:30 p.m. PT
  • TV channel: TNT (United States), TSN 1/3/4/5 (Canada)

Game 1 of Knicks vs. Pacers will tip off around 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, May 6. It will air on TNT in the United States and across TSN in Canada.

Scott Rafferty

Scott Rafferty Photo

 

Scott Rafferty is an experienced NBA journalist who first started writing for The Sporting News in 2017. There are few things he appreciates more than a Nikola Jokic no-look pass, Klay Thompson heat check or Giannis Antetokounmpo eurostep. He's a member of the NBA Global team.