TORONTO — Scottie Barnes scored a career-high 41 points Friday night, establishing beyond reasonable doubt that he was capable of contributing considerably more offense to the Raptors.
The NBA nevertheless insisted that six personal fouls were still six personal fouls.
Barnes fouled out during Toronto's 121–114 loss to Orlando, ending a spectacular individual performance under a rule that apparently does not include exemptions for players having an unusually productive evening.
The Raptors star made 19 of 34 field-goal attempts, setting career highs in both categories.
Unfortunately, the league does not allow players to exchange excess points for additional fouls, a policy that becomes particularly inconvenient when the best player on the floor is also the player the team desperately needs to keep there.
Barnes' performance was a fascinating study in basketball's division of responsibilities.
On offense, he could shoot, drive, create opportunities and repeatedly put the ball through the basket.
On defense, he was still subject to the same six-foul limit as someone who had spent the evening missing every shot.
Orlando appreciated the distinction.
Desmond Bane scored 28 points, Franz Wagner added 26, and the Magic used a late run to escape with a seven-point victory.
Barnes finished with the kind of box score that usually dominates the next day's highlights.
But the most decisive number attached to his night was not 41.
It was six.
Basketball, apparently, remains a sport where exceptional scoring does not come with unlimited customer privileges.
