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“This Is Where I Wanted To Be”: Pascal Siakam Talks About His First Game Back In Toronto

Originally posted on Raptors Nation | By Luca Rosano | Last updated Feb 15, 2024 3:44 PM ET

Pascal Siakam made his highly anticipated return to Toronto on Feb. 14.

Siakam was traded by the franchise to the Indiana Pacers on Jan. 17.

It was a tough decision made by Masai Ujiri and the Raptors organization but it was one that was needed.

The Raptors were struggling and were in desperate need of a change of direction. Toronto decided to go into a rebuild around Scottie Barnes so that meant trading away a Raptors great to set it underway.

Siakam’s return to Toronto was a special night as expected. Before the game he received a well deserved ovation from the Raptors faithful:

An ovation that’s rivalled only by Lowry and DeRozan’s first games back in Toronto. A special and well deserved moment for Pascal Siakam. pic.twitter.com/deygecLt67

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) February 15, 2024

Siakam had a fantastic game against his former team. He had 23 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists and hit a dagger shot to give the Pacers the lead for good.

Siakam and Barnes went head-to-head in this matchup as Barnes responded with 29 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists.

After the game Siakam reflected on the emotional night and and talked about his first game back going up against the Raptors via Adam Laskaris of Daily Hive Toronto:

“You want to say that you’re going to be okay, but it is hard. It is tough. This is a place that means a lot to me… this is a place that I wanted to be. But also I was just happy to be there.”

Raptors trading Siakam needed to happen

Siakam clearly wanted to remain a Raptor but given the current circumstances of the team it was not a good idea to keep him and re-sign him this summer to a max contract. The Raptors needed to start to prioritize player development and enter a youth movement in Toronto.

Even though Siakam is no longer a Raptor, the fans still have a great deal of respect for what he contributed to the franchise over the years.

This article first appeared on Raptors Nation and was syndicated with permission.

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