Pascal Siakam's playoff career-high 34 points keeps Raptors alive with Game 4 win over 76ers

Kyle Irving

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Pascal Siakam's playoff career-high 34 points keeps Raptors alive with Game 4 win over 76ers image

The Toronto Raptors will live to fight another game.

Trailing 3-0 in an NBA Playoff series has historically been a nail in the coffin, as no team has ever overcome that deficit. The Raptors are one step closer to becoming the first team to do so, picking up a win over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 4 with their backs against the wall.

Behind a playoff career-high 34 points from Pascal Siakam and 24 points from Gary Trent Jr., the Raptors were able to hold on for a victory despite losing All-Star guard Fred VanVleet at halftime due to a hip injury.

Toronto did a great job making life difficult for 76ers All-Star Joel Embiid, who was held in check with just 21 points and eight rebounds.

For more on the Raptors' win to keep this series going, we have you covered with some thoughts below.

1. Pascal Siakam's breakthrough

Siakam hadn't been impacting the games in this series the way we had seen at the end of the season, but that changed in Game 4.

The Raptors star forward had his best game of the series, stepping up in a big way in the second half once Fred VanVleet went down with an injury.

Siakam shifted his game into another gear in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 of Toronto's 30 points in the frame to close out the victory and keep his team's season alive.

It wasn't just his work on the offensive end, either. Siakam – along with OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa – really frustrated All-Star center Joel Embiid in the fourth quarter, making the 76ers' best player work for every bucket.

Siakam came through when the Raptors needed him most, finishing with a playoff career-high of 34 points to go with eight rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal.

2. Joel Embiid playing through ligament damage in right thumb

Prior to the start of Game 4, it was revealed that 76ers All-Star Embiid was dealing with ligament damage in his right thumb. Embiid reportedly made it clear he intends to play through the injury, but head coach Doc Rivers announced the MVP candidate will receive an MRI when they get back to Philadelphia to learn the extent of the injury.

Embiid was clearly playing through pain, often holding his right hand after making plays throughout the night. He didn't make the same dominant impact that we had seen in the first three games of this series, finishing with 21 points and eight rebounds.

The MRI on Embiid's thumb could have massive implications on the remainder of this series and the NBA Playoffs as a whole.

3. Fred VanVleet leaves game with hip injury, does not return

VanVleet has been playing through a lingering knee injury for the majority of this season and he has battled so far during these playoffs. In the second quarter of Game 4, VanVleet went down with a different injury and was visibly frustrated, tearing his jersey in half as he walked off the court.

At halftime, VanVleet was diagnosed with a left hip injury and did not return to the game. He finished with five points, three assists and two rebounds in 15 minutes of playing time.

4. Scottie Barnes' return

Barnes was well on his way to a triple-double in his first career playoff game back in Game 1, but an ankle injury forced the newly named Rookie of the Year to miss Games 2 and 3.

He made his return to the floor in this contest, coming off of the bench to ease him back into the lineup. Barnes was clearly still laboring through some pain, but it didn't stop the energizer from making his presence felt.

Barnes gave the Raptors some life coming out of halftime with an and-one to get the Scotiabank Arena crowd going.

It wasn't Barnes' best offensive night — he scored six points on 1-of-6 shooting — but he still made contributions with 11 rebounds and two assists.

5. Scottie Barnes honored for Rookie of the Year award

Before tip-off of Game 4, Barnes received his 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year award in front of a rocking Scotiabank Arena crowd.

The award was presented by team president Masai Ujiri, with some thoughtful messages from the Raptors' two former Rookie of the Year winners, Vince Carter and Damon Stoudamire.

Barnes just nearly edged out Cleveland Cavaliers star rookie Evan Mobley, receiving five more first-place votes than the No. 3 pick in the NBA Draft.

6. What's next?

The Raptors will live to fight another day, traveling back to Philadelphia for Game 5 at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, April 25.

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.