Raptors & Nuggets get into a scuffle after a hard foul on Scottie Barnes

Aaron Gordon is on the rise once again.

The Denver Nuggets forward had to be separated from Scottie Barnes after a fourth-quarter scuffle broke out in the Nuggets' cross-town game against the Toronto Raptors on Monday.

Barnes forced a turnover from Gordon, giving the Raptors a fast break opportunity. Barnes went for a layup in transition, but was fouled hard by Russell Westbrook, who broke up the transition shot.

The dirty foul was deemed flagrant and caused Barnes to quickly stand up as Toronto's players swarmed Westbrook. Gordon walked over and started talking to Barnes, which increased the tension as more players arrived. Gordon appeared to push Barnes and touched him with his chin as the two players were restrained by team personnel.

Barnes and Gordon were both hit with compensatory technical fouls, but no one was ejected after the brief brawl. Barnes converted one of his two free throws after the incident.

“I’m just talking back and forth,” said RJ Barrett, who was closest to Barnes when the foul occurred. “Scottie defended himself as he should. I was there with my only good shoulder. But yes, we don't back down from anyone. So you know, it’s good to see that.”

Barrett followed the melee moments later with a striking dunk against Gordon.

“Yeah, it felt good. He’s got bounce, so it felt good,” Barrett said.

This isn't the first time Gordon has gotten involved with the Raptors. He and former Raptors guard Kyle Lowry got into an argument during a regular season game in the 2020 COVID-19 bubble in Orlando.