Raptors’ Scottie Barnes was ejected after saying ‘y’all cheating bro’ in loss to Denver

Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes was ejected in seemingly inexplicable fashion by NBA referee Scott Foster with less than a minute remaining in a 118-113 loss to Denver Monday night. 

Though footage from TSN, the Raptors’ broadcast channel, picked up audio of Barnes saying ‘y’all cheating bro.’ 

It followed a foul being called on teammate Jakob Poetl as Toronto trailed 114-113, with 28.3 seconds remaining. 

Foster tossed Barnes in a move that enraged Raptors coach Nick Nurse and befuddled Raptors players, including the 21-year-old forward.

‘I was just saying something to myself and I guess he took offense to it, so he just took me out of the game,’ Barnes said.

Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes could not believe he was ejected late Monday night

Foster said in a pool report Barnes was ejected with just one technical foul for using verbiage which ‘directly questioned the integrity of the crew.’

Meanwhile, Nurse described the incident in a contradictory manner, stating postgame ‘there was nothing there.’ 

Fred VanVleet had led all scorers for Toronto with 21 points, while Pascal Siakam added 19.

Siakam’s jumper with 2:20 remaining gave the Raptors a six-point edge, but the Nuggets rattled off seven straight points to go up 112-111 with 1:15 left.

VanVleet hit a pair of free throws as Toronto regained a one-point lead, but Denver scored the final six points, all on free throws, to secure the win. 

Toronto continues its five-game road trip Wednesday in Los Angeles against the Clippers. 

Toronto coach Nick Nurse was irate following the ejection of his player after just one technical