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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander On RJ Barrett Thriving With Raptors

Originally posted on Raptors Nation | By Luca Rosano | Last updated Dec 6, 2024 4:15 PM ET

The Toronto Raptors hosted Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night.

It wasn’t the competitive matchup fans were hoping for, but it was still spectacle to see Gilgeous-Alexander play in front of his hometown crowd.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points to go along with 5 assists and 4 rebounds. His fellow Canadian and Team Canada teammate RJ Barrett finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.

After the game Gilgeous-Alexander talked about playing in Toronto and recognized Barrett thriving playing with his hometown team.

It’s definitely every Canadian’s dream to play at home,” Gilgeous-Alexander said “Every time I see RJ [Barrett] he gets better, sky is the limit because of that.”

‘It’s definitely every Canadian’s dream to play at home.’

Shai on watching fellow Canadian RJ Barrett thrive at home with the Raptors pic.twitter.com/NZh2exXARL

— theScore (@theScore) December 6, 2024

Not only was it nice hearing Gilgeous-Alexander possibility leaving the door open for him to one day play with the Raptors, but it was also nice hearing him give Barrett his flowers.

Barrett has been a different player playing in front of the Scotiabank crowd. He has averaged 28.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 9 games at home this season. This is compared to him averaging 19.4 points, 6.5 assists and 6.0 rebounds in 11 games on the road this season.

Barrett has been money at home for the Raptors. He’s coming off a bad shooting night against the Thunder, but besides that game, he has been efficient and effective in getting to the basket.

Watching Barrett take his game to new heights with his hometown team has been special to see.