Cameroonian basketball player Pascal Siakam and his Toronto Raptors team lost to the Boston Celtics in game 5 of their NBA play-off Eastern Conference semi-final.
Siakam scored only 10 points on an off-night for the NBA defending champions, making 5 of 9 attempts, with 2 misses from 3-point range and no visits to the free-throw line, as Celtics won the game 111-89.
The 26-year-old also picked up a personal foul with just four minutes in after he looked to have kicked Celtic’s center Daniel Theis in face on landing from on a jump.
Raptors coach Nick Nurse spoke about Siakam’s recent form after the game.
“It’s too bad because he was spectacular in last year’s playoffs and he was spectacular all season long,” said Nurse. “We still have some games to play. Hopefully, he can get his rhythm.”
Nurse also added: “I’m not sure why he’s been so out of rhythm since the restart in the bubble here. He hasn’t had a lot of great games. That’s more of it, other than we are in the playoffs, and he’s supposed to be our leading guy.”
Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry also had a sluggish night with 10 points, but Fred VanVleet netting the most for the Raptors with 18.
And 23-year-old OG Anunoby, of Nigerian decent – also a Raptors starter on the night making 7 points and 7 rebounds.
But Celtics’ Jaylen Brown was the game’s top scorer with 27 points, Kemba Walker added 21 points, and Jayson Tatum finishing with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Celtics started the game bright from the first quarter and ran out the victory to lead 3-2 in the series, with Raptors now at risk of elimination should they lose game 6 on Wednesday night.