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[Toronto Raptors]

Heated Rivalry has the potential to change the culture of male sports

If you’ve been living under a rock or don’t appreciate good television, you may not know about the latest sports show that’s captured the attention of pretty much everyone this month: Heated Rivalry. A Crave original, now their most successful original show of all time, is adapted from a romance novel about two rival NHL players who embark on a steamy secret romance. The television adaptation is everything good about TV — brilliantly shot, well-written and poignant, with acting that is truly magnificent and fully immerses you into this world. Its distribution deal with HBO in the US has launched this show into the zeitgeist and has gotten better and better with each episode.

This is insane. https://t.co/FAxYCDlLj2 pic.twitter.com/MujhaBQ7Kd

— Max Gao (@MaxJGao) December 20, 2025

You may be thinking, Chelsea, what does this have to do with basketball? Well, my dear readers, did you really think that I, as the manager of this here blog site, who also has a graduate degree in screenwriting, would not do whatever it took to make this incredibly good show fit into the scope of this site? I’ve written about Bridgerton, Drag Race, and Dancing with the Stars on Raptors HQ, and after being hooked on Heated Rivarly, reading all the books in a matter of days, and consuming everything about this show like it’s air, I have thoughts.

While latching onto this show like it was the last drop of water in a desert, I’ve noticed something pretty spectacular — real hockey media are talking about it. Not just in jest, but truly watching and analyzing this show through the lens of their actual NHL coverage. It’s relevant, given the fact that the books and show examine the prejudices against LGBTQIA+ athletes, the pressures the athletes themselves feel to hide their identities, and the archaic culture of hockey as a whole. Arguably a little more in the sequel, to be honest, which is already greenlit to be turned into season two of the show by Crave.

Screaming, crying, throwing up!#HeatedRivalry is confirmed for
SEASON 2 on Crave! pic.twitter.com/pYfjJbYter

— Crave (@CraveCanada) December 12, 2025

I know hockey is probably a more male-dominated media space than basketball is, and that hockey as a whole is definitely a more conservative sport, too. Seeing guys like the What Chaos Podcast actually talking about this show authentically and endearingly has been really nice, and bridged a gap between television and sports that often doesn’t exist. Even more so when you think about the fact that the central romance of this show is between two men, a dynamic that very much has a “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach in all male sports.

There is also the fact that I myself watch the show from a different lens than a lot of people. As one of the only women in the Toronto Raptors media room, I understand the complexities and culture of a male professional sports team more than the average person. I can only use my experiences covering the Raptors as an example, of course.

The reality is, I’ve seen both sides of the themes Heated Rivalry explores in my time covering the team. If this show were to be about basketball instead of hockey, I know I would equally enjoy the coverage I would see from the guys I work with at Raptors games. It would be funny and insightful and honest without being hateful, because that’s what their normal coverage is like, and I know that’s who they are as people. Similarly to a lot of the hockey coverage I am currently seeing about Heated Rivalry.

Yet, male sports as a whole are still incredibly behind when it comes to LGBTQIA+ acceptance, and no, just having a “Pride Night” isn’t really enough. Especially because a lot of the time, male sports Pride Nights feel hollow and performative — I’ve been to my fair share. Also, the last time I attended a Raptors Pride Night, I had the pleasure of standing courtside before the game and hearing two employees have a very loud, very homophobic conversation about the festivities. Unfortunately, a little too on the nose when it comes to how behind male sports still are.

Does the undeniable success of a show like Heated Rivalry, which is both objectively good television and also explores a currently taboo topic like the existence of LGBTQIA+ players in male sports leagues, have the potential to change culture? Not just in hockey, but in all male sports? It’s possible, honestly.

Heated Rivalry spoilers ahead.

Let’s take episode five of Heated Rivalry, for example. The entire season has revolved around Ilya Rozanov of the “Boston Raiders” and Shane Hollander of the “Montreal Metros” keeping their relationship a secret for over a decade. Their reasoning is simple: they aren’t gay professional hockey players, none that are out, anyway. There is also the added layer that Ilya and Shane are “arch rivals” on rival hockey teams, and fans would very likely not accept their relationship, not because they are two men, but because they play for Boston and Montreal.

As someone who grew up in a Montreal Canadiens-obsessed household, the rivalry and disdain for the Boston Bruins really did stretch this far.

Episode three of the show revolved around a different relationship, Scott Hunter of the “New York Admirals” and Kip, a barista he meets. After falling in love, Scott and Kip struggle because Scott is struggling with the same issues Ilya and Shane are — there is no precedent for what would happen to a hockey player who is gay. They worry for their careers, the families they support, and more.

Episode five ends in a sequence where New York wins the championship, and Shane and Ilya watch at home as Scott calls Kip onto the ice and kisses him. In seeing all his teammates celebrating with their families on the ice, Scott realizes he wants the same, and in doing so, comes out as the first openly gay hockey player in the show. The ripple effect on Shane and Ilya is immediate, and the episode ends with Ilya promising to come to Shane’s cottage after previously thinking it wouldn’t be okay to do so. We’ll continue to see the ripple effects of Scott Hunter’s coming out for the rest of the series.

Scott Hunter, you are THE MAN. #HeatedRivalry pic.twitter.com/i3e7xeyv0Z

— Love, Danny (@DannyWxo) December 19, 2025

What does this mean for real-life sports, then? Well, take this ending scene from episode 5, for example. There could be athletes all over who watched that scene with the same feverish expressions that were displayed on Shane and Ilya’s faces. Sure, the show is fictional, but we all know that representation matters in all facets. It matters to see women covering male sports, women’s sports getting the fanfare they deserve, or seeing people who are relatable represented on a TV show.

Yet, I think some of the biggest impacts Heated Rivalry will end up having are the way it’s being talked about in sports media, especially. Not to pull the “I am credentialled media” card again, but these spaces are so heteronormative and male. The fact that hockey podcasts, ESPN writers, and sports pundits all over (mostly men, mind you) are talking about this show about two male hockey players in love is already a change in itself. It’s normalizing the idea that we can have a show like this that transcends sports and culture, and shows us that professional athletes are human, too. It’s normalizing talking about LGBTQIA+ issues in sports, a big talking point of the analysis of Heated Rivalry in sports spaces. It’s making people actually talk about what needs to be done to make male professional sports leagues a more inclusive space.

That’s the beauty of television, and of art as a whole, honesty. At its best, it acts as a channel for us to examine ourselves, culture, and society. A television show about two men on fake hockey teams is an enjoyable escape for your evening, sure, but it also gives us a reason to examine how our society is lacking. The idea that so many people immediately felt this attachment to this piece of art is because it gives a taste of what we are lacking in male sports. Acceptance, openness, authenticity, inclusion, and safe spaces to be exactly who you are.

Heated Rivalry has reminded us of the importance of art in a time when we need it most. With so much division in the world, the idea of coming together over a silly, frankly smutty, romance show about hockey players almost seems comical. Instead, it’s starting an incredible conversation about what it means to be human. A conversation that will likely make your parents side-eye you at the Christmas dinner table this week, but could cause a chain reaction of revolutionary acceptance for years to come.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/general/48922/heated-rivalry-crave-hbo-lgbtqia-hockey-nhl-nba-sports

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Can the Raptors even the season series against the Celtics?

The Toronto Raptors aim to start a three-game winning streak as the Boston Celtics aim to stop a two-game skid as the third and fourth seeds in the Eastern Conference match up in Toronto this Saturday night. Having lost the most recent contest to the C’s, Toronto will be looking to even the season series before heading on to a lengthy holiday road trip.

Keeping the magic going​

Key players on the Raptors have been putting up big numbers over the last few games. Brandon Ingram has been showing out as a scorer, averaging 29.5 points over the last four games, including a 30-piece against the Celtics. Scottie Barnes has posted two double-doubles over the same time frame, and has been playing excellent defence, pouring in more than four stocks over the last two games. Off the bench, Jamal Shead has proved a bright spot amidst this season’s second-unit woes, notching two double-digit assist games in the last two wins, and dropping 18 points in the NBA Cup’s quarter-finals against the Knicks.

They will need every bit of that production against the Celtics, who have established their post-championship roster with Jaylen Brown proving himself to be every bit of a premier first option this year. Despite a rough start, the Celtics have clawed their way back into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference again, and will pose a formidable opponent to the Raptors as they try to recover their footing after the stretch of losses they racked up starting at the end of November.

Holding the line​

The absence of RJ Barrett has been a major concern for the Raptors, who have lost six of their last eleven games without the Canadian swingman. However, the potential absence of Jakob Poeltl is a more serious concern. The Raptors’ lack of centre depth and Poeltl’s injuries has been discussed at length, and Saturday’s matchup may serve as yet another reminder that the Raptors need to make moves for big man to either bolster their lineup, or take over Poeltl’s starting job. While the Celtics’ scoring punch may come from their guards and forwards that the Raptors are more equipped to deal with, the lack of reliable interior presence from a big man remains problematic.

The Celtics, on the other hand, are playing with an entirely healthy starting lineup, minus, of course, Jayson Tatum, whose saga of recovery from the Achilles injury in the 2025 playoffs continues. Jaylen Brown has been on fire recently, with a number of big scoring games over the past month, and getting to the line a great deal. Payton Pritchard, newly promoted to the starting lineup after winning the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2024-25, has seen a dip in production and a drop in efficiency in the Celtics’ last two losses, shooting an egregious 28.6% from the field in the game against Milwaukee last week. Containing Brown as the Celtics’ offensive engine, while not allowing Derrick White to catch fire as the secondary scoring option is the key to a Raptors’ victory.

Winning here consolidates Toronto’s position as top-three in the East by bloodying the nose of their divisional rival, and gaining some additional buffer space in the standings. A loss here bodes poorly for the Raptors, sparking questions about how realistic playoff contention is against serious contenders. The Raptors have beaten a lot of mediocre, injured, and outright bad teams this season, but wins against competitive squads have been few and far between. The chance to prove that the Raptors can hang with the best in the East is here, tonight.

Game Information and Details​

Game Time: 7:00 EST

Watch On: TSN

Injury Report:

Toronto: Jakob Poeltl (Day-to-day – back), RJ Barrett (Out – knee)

Celtics: N/A

Projected Lineups

Toronto: Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, Ochai Agbaji, Immanuel Quickley, Sandro Mamukelashvili

Boston: Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Neemias Queta, Jordan Walsh, Payton Pritchard

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/general/48916/raptors-celtics-matchup-scottie-barnes-jaylen-brown

 

[Toronto Raptors]

This loss to the Celtics raises uncomfortable questions for Toronto

Christmas has come early for Boston fans, as the Celtics were delivered an overwhelming victory, 112-96, in Toronto on Saturday night. Jaylen Brown might as well have been driving that sleigh, as the Celtics had no need for their leading scorer to beat down the Raptors in their own arena. The Raptors begin their road trip after this brutal loss at home that demonstrates just how badly Toronto needs its starters to be competitive against the best teams in the East. The Raptors fell to fifth in the East tonight, a sharp plummet from their place in the top three.

The Celtics’ winning of the opening tip would set the tone for the game’s first quarter. Payton Pritchard exploded offensively early on, as Boston set good screens that the Raptors struggled to navigate around. Brandon Ingram and Sandro Mamukelashvili dropped in shots as well, starting their scoring early. Colin Murray-Boyles checked in as the sixth man and immediately took his signature role on the interior, dropping in a nice lay. His three pointer to bring the lead to 20-16 was the last score the Raptors would see in the quarter, as the Celtics shut out Toronto for four-and-a-half minutes as Luka Garza dropped in bucket after bucket. With a minute left in the first, Scottie Barnes picked up a monster block on Garza, but a Derrick White three-pointer would punctuate the end of the quarter, with the Raptors down 12. Barnes was quiet offensively throughout the first quarter, contributing rebounds alongside a number of missed shots.

Ingram and White traded three pointers early in the second, keeping the Celtics lead at 13. Mamukelashvili, thrust into the starting lineup tonight, continued to impress offensively with Poeltl out, spacing the floor and scoring on the interior to cut Boston’s lead to single-digits. Under the basket, Neemias Queta came down hard on Scottie Barnes, who made a basket before folding in half, clutching his face. The brutal and prolonged contact was assessed as a flagrant, sending Scottie to the line and keeping hold of the ball for the Raps.

SCOTTIE WITH THE TWO-HANDED SLAM pic.twitter.com/247iuYTzXG

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) December 21, 2025

Off a missed layup, Barnes got his own rebound and jammed it home with authority, bringing the game within a single possession. Ball movement looked fluid, with Jamal Shead conducting a high-tempo offence. Two free throws from Ochai Agbaji cut the lead to one again, as the Raptors began clawing their way out of the pit the Boston offence had dug. Off a size-up, Brandon Ingram kicked out to Immanuel Quickley, as the Kentucky Guard splashed home a three to make it Raptors’ lead at the end of the second. The Raptors had turned it around by halftime, with a score of 51-49.

Barnes came out hot off the break, dropping in a three to set the scene for the third quarter. While Payton Pritchard remained a tenacious presence on offence, the Raptors seemed to click on the attack, raining down threes like artillery shells on the Celtics. This assault allowed the Raptors to eke out a modest lead against the Celtics, which would be cut down bit-by-bit by Payton Pritchard. With Derrick White quiet to start this game, the go-to offensive role was adopted by Payton Pritchard, bouncing back from a series of rough games to have 27 points by the end of the third. His last bucket of the quarter was a fadeaway jumper to gain a one-possession lead for the Celtics, leading the Raptors to play from behind in the fourth.

A run starting with some Anfernee Simons jump shots was punctuated with a Derrick White three to bring the Celtics lead to double digits once more, 84-94. White turned things in the final quarter of the game, finally finding his shot and pouring buckets in for the Cs. Ingram and Barnes struggled mightily to prevent a total collapse, holding the line with less than half a quarter left. A Hugo Gonzalez steal followed by a coast-to-coast dunk added insult to injury, bringing the Celtics’ lead to 12 points with three minutes left. Immanuel Quickley’s missed three followed by a foul served to highlight his absence from the night’s box score. While his seven assists were much needed, going 1 for 12 in a game without RJ Barrett is no small factor in condemning the Raptors to tonight’s loss. The Raptors pulled their starters and allowed the game to pass naturally, with the final score at 96-112 for a Celtics victory.

“The game is about rebounding. They got 17 offensive rebounds, and 23 second-chance points,” said coach Darko Rajaković in the post game presser. Indeed: out-rebounded without Jakob Poeltl and outscored without RJ Barrett – all without facing Jaylen Brown – it is clear that the Raptors need their whole lineup healthy to be competitive, and that their status as a true competitor must be re-assessed going into the new year.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/general/48934/raptors-beat-celtics-brandon-ingram-payton-pritchard

 

[Toronto Raptors]

The league caught up to the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat

The Toronto Raptors and the Miami Heat are separated by differences in culture, philosophy, and to the chagrin of Canadian basketball enthusiasts, the temperature in December.

However, even with the disparity, there are clear plot points indicating that both teams have charted similar courses ahead of their matchup on Tuesday.

After a mixed bag of results out of the gate, the Raptors and Heat discovered their rhythm around the back-end of the first leg of the season-long NBA race. Toronto surged to 14-5 on the heels of a nine-game winning streak, while Miami won six consecutive games to catapult to 13-6.

One month later and both organizations are in the midst of a downward spiral. In their last ten contests, the Raptors (3-7) and Heat (2-8) have played uninspiring basketball and continue to gravitate back towards .500.

Ahead of tip-off – which is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST on Sportsnet – both teams need a win to initiate a reset inside the locker room before the holidays.

Along the thread that links both teams’ respective journeys is a collection of injuries to key rotational players.

After undergoing surgery for his left ankle and foot in September, Tyler Herro returned to the Heat on Nov. 24. But an unrelated toe injury placed the scorer back on the bench. With Herro only appearing in six games this season, the Heat are leaning on math to hide their deficiencies. Miami leads the league in pace (number of possessions per 48 minutes) and is second in shot attempts.

The Heat run into trouble when opposing defences limit their fast break opportunities or take away early offensive progressions.

For the Raptors, it begins and ends with wing RJ Barrett and centre Jakob Poeltl.

Since Barrett went down with a knee injury on Nov. 23, the Raptors are 5-7. While Barrett doesn’t grade as the strongest defender or three-point shooter, his presence is sorely missed, particularly on the offensive end. The Raptors failed to score at least 100 points in five of their 12 games without Barrett. They crossed the century mark in each of the 17 contests Barrett suited up for.

The Raptors have seen an increase in zone usage from their opponents in the last few weeks. And it’s almost a certainty that Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, who never needs a push to go into zone, will deploy a coverage daring the Raptors to shoot.

With the spinning carousel of Ochai Agbaji, Gradey Dick, and Ja’Kobe Walter showing no signs of stopping, Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic has often turned to Jamal Shead. But despite Shead’s defensive grit and evolving playmaking skillset, the sophomore point guard doesn’t provide enough at this point in his career to offset the overall defensive mismatch that comes with playing alongside Immanuel Quickley.

Though Barrett may be close to returning, the outlook for Poeltl remains murky.

The two likeliest scenarios are that Poeltl continues to be an unreliable resource for the rest of the season or that the big man finally gets completely shut down. Both are grim results with season-sabotaging potential.

Regardless of what ultimately transpires, the Raptors cannot survive in this environment. The last time Toronto grappled with what it means to play without a true centre, the front office traded a first-round pick for Poeltl. Until another acquisition occurs, the Raptors must lean on what they have in-house to stay afloat.

Unfortunately for the Raptors, the Heat thrive on the glass. Miami is the seventh-best rebounding team in the NBA, particularly due to Bam Adebayo’s consistency and the emergence of Kel’el Ware. The second-year big man finished with 28 points and 19 rebounds against the New York Knicks on Dec. 21. In his last three games, Ware is averaging 24.6 points and 15 rebounds.

Sandro Mamukelashvili quickly etched his name in Raptors’ lore as one of the greatest free agent signings in franchise history, but the dynamic stretch four can only do so much to make up for the interior presence Poeltl provides.

At some point, the coaching staff could consider utilizing rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, particularly as the centre on the court and flanked by as many defenders as possible. For example, the Raptors have played a lineup featuring Murray-Boyles, Agbaji, Barnes, Shead and Brandon Ingram a total of only eight minutes this year. Despite the small sample size, the data points to a hidden gear the Raptors might have due to the favourable offensive and defensive ratings, which could be something that keeps the Raptors in the race until they sort out their big man issues.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-g...ught-up-to-the-toronto-raptors-and-miami-heat

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Unlikely duo produce career nights, reveal Raptors have second gear

In another timeline, the Toronto Raptors dropped their final game before the holiday break. That group opts to delay improvement in the hope that time with family and an overall reset will drive the team forward.

But this version of the Raptors didn’t have plans to wait for anyone to save them from a three-game losing streak. They treated their trip to Miami as a “get-right” type of game and were rewarded for their efforts with a 112-91 victory over the Heat on Tuesday.

Holding Miami to a season-low 91 points and finally surpassing the 100-point mark after two clunkers against the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets should momentarily quiet the doubters.

Here are four more takeaways from the surprising but refreshing road win.

The Poeltl prescription​

With Jakob Poeltl missing another game due to a lingering back ailment, the Raptors turned to two secondary options to cure their woes at the five spot – Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Murray-Boyles.

On a night against one of the best rebounding teams in the NBA, the Raptors leaned on the duo to negate as much of the assumed disadvantage on the glass as possible. Not only did Mamukelashvili and Murray-Boyles do an admirable job of that, with the Toronto out-rebounding Miami 53-46, but the pair also applied relentless offensive pressure on opposing bigs.

During the opening possessions of the first and second halves, the Raptors made a concentrated effort to attack Kel’el Ware. Even when he wasn’t the on-ball defender, Ware was forced into various actions, which subsequently took the centre out of ideal positioning for rebounds.

Mamukelashvili was an offensive generator who shifted coverages and displayed how valuable it is to have a stretch big next to Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram. He finished with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and a career-high 7 assists. Mamukelashvili also shot 4-for-6 from three.

Murray-Boyles’ performance was a battle cry for those yearning for the rookie to play a larger role in games. In Poeltl’s absence, Murray-Boyles recorded his first double-double and finished with a career-high in both total (12) and offensive rebounds (9). His 9 offensive rebounds are the most by any rookie this year. It’s also the most by a Raptor rookie since Scottie Barnes (9) in 2022.

False starts in disguise ​

A holiday miracle transformed into a mirage when the Raptors began the night playing their most inspired stretch of basketball this season, only to let the Heat back into the contest without much resistance.

The Raptors surprisingly knocked down their first three attempts from beyond the arc and weaponized that momentum to build a 16-3 lead. But after the ensuing timeout, the Heat responded with a 10-2 run. Miami’s momentum carried into the second quarter. And after a Bam Adebayo slam in transition, the Heat capped off a 22-7 run to claim their first lead of the game.

But unlike in their previous two games against the Nets and Celtics, the Raptors’ search for a second gear yielded positive results. Toronto ultimately overcame the sluggish start against Miami, but with the health of key rotation players in doubt and the bench grappling with inconsistency, it’s important for the team to win opening frames.

More CMB​

Murray-Boyles hasn’t had a chance to properly play meaningful minutes as the small-ball five that many envisioned he would eventually become. After the Heat claimed their first lead of the evening in the second quarter, the Raptors deployed Murray-Boyles as the lone big on the floor. It was a limited sample size, but the Raptors finished on a 5-3 run while shooting 50 per cent from the field. They also limited the Heat to 0-for-2 on the other end.

In the fourth quarter, while sharing the floor with Barnes, the Raptors asked Murray-Boyles to defend the pick-and-roll, which freed up the former to do what he does best as a free safety. This combination helped push Toronto to a 23-point lead, its largest of the night up to that point.

On the offence, Murray-Boyles slotted into the dunker’s spot normally reserved for Poeltl. While his location regulates the rookie’s offensive ceiling, the strategic decision maintains scheme continuity that the Raptors desperately need.

The carousel spins, with no end in sight ​

The trio of Ochai Agbaji, Gradey Dick and Ja’Kobe Walter have received their share of criticism this season from fans and critics. It’s becoming increasingly clear that each of them is struggling to perform under limited minutes and heightened expectations. They’re very much rhythm players on a team lacking the runway needed for this kind of archetype to succeed.

And because of this, head coach Darko Rajakovic has no choice but to continue rolling the dice in hopes of hitting the number needed on any given night. But because Rajakovic views this part of his rotation more as a calculated gambit rather than a locked rotation, it means the Raptors must deal with the bad luck that come with dice rolls.

The group finished the first half with a combined eight points on 27.2 per cent shooting. There are flashes of intrigue, like Agbaji’s early offensive burst or his block on Norman Powell, but these fleeting moments are drowned out by a corner three air-ball or getting denied by the rim on a dunk attempt.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-s...career-nights-reveal-raptors-have-second-gear

 

[Toronto Raptors]

The post-holiday curse awaits the Raptors ahead of matchup vs. Wizards

Ever since the Toronto Raptors played the first Christmas Day on Canadian soil in 2019, the post-holiday season hasn’t been kind to the team.

Since that historic moment, the Raptors are 1-4 in their first game back from the holidays, with their lone victory coming against the Washington Wizards in 2023.

Despite the festivities around the NBA world coming to an end, the Raptors hope that the Wizards are the gift that keeps on giving ahead of their matchup on Friday.

Winning after the seasonal break isn’t a completely foreign concept for Toronto. Before the aforementioned 2019 Christmas Day game, the Raptors went 4-1 in their first matchup back from the break from 2014-2018.

The Raptors need to turn back the clock and pick up a victory in Washington before taking on a juggernaut slate of opponents waiting back in Canada for the upcoming five-game homestand.

With tip-off scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST on Sportsnet, here are three more storylines to keep an eye on.

It’s injury-bug season​

Both RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl are officially marked as out for the matchup. Barrett has missed 14 straight games since suffering a knee injury against the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 23. Poeltl has sat out four of the last five contests due to a lingering back injury, with his only appearance being a nearly seven-minute stint against the Nets on Dec. 21.

Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic will likely check back in on the volatile group of Ochai Agbaji, Gradey Dick, and Ja’Kobe Walter, in hopes that one of them has a productive outing. But don’t be surprised if Rajakovic turns to Jamison Battle. The six-foot-seven sniper has struggled to earn a spot in the rotation but he’s reached double-digit minutes in six of the last eight games. At some point, the dam will break, and Battle’s skillset should prove too difficult to ignore.

Collin Murray-Boyles is coming off a career night against the Miami Heat, but if he misses the game (illness), the Raptors might lean on Jonathan Mogbo. Sandro Mamukelashvili also had his best game of the season in Miami and will be expected to keep his hot streak going in Washington.

There’s nothing magical in Washington​

Outside of John Cena’s retirement match, the Wizards have been the hardest thing to watch at the Capital One Arena this year. The roster construction is the envy of absolutely no one in the league, but injuries have derailed what could have been a surprise play-in contender.

After being traded to the Wizards in the off-season, Cam Whitmore was expected to thrive in a change of scenery, but he’ll miss his seventh consecutive matchup. Whitmore had been dealing with a shoulder injury and was also recently diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis.

Meanwhile, Corey Kispert finds himself back on the injury report after missing a month because of his thumb. Kispert returned against the Charlotte Hornets on Dec. 23 and played 13 minutes, but he’ll miss the game against the Raptors with a tight hamstring.

The biggest surprise in Washington has been Alex Sarr. He was playing like one of the best centres in the NBA before having to deal with a toe injury and adductor strain. While Sarr has played in three of the last four games, the Wizards still have him on an injury management plan. Sarr is averaging 18.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.0 blocks.

Khris Middleton and Bilal Coulibaly have also returned from their respective injuries, but like Sarr, are being monitored by the Wizards’ medical staff.

Bub Carrington, who has been another standout this season, avoided an injury scare in the Wizards’ last game and should be available.

Scottie B Aggressive​

There’s no reason for a passive Scottie Barnes to exist on this iteration of the Raptors. If Barnes suits up against the Wizards (illness), it’s important that he starts aggressively and carries that mentality into the back-end of the opening frame or early in the second quarter.

When Barnes limits himself to a mere participant in the offence rather than spearheading the attack, the Raptors are an eyesore.

Barnes finished with less than 10 points in two games this season – against the San Antonio Spurs (Oct. 27) and the Nets (Dec. 21) – and both yielded embarrassing losses. He attempted seven shots against the Spurs and 10 against the Nets.

Barnes is averaging 19.9 points on 14.7 shots in wins this year.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-g...waits-the-raptors-ahead-of-matchup-vs-wizards

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Raptors must rebuild their rep as elite home team, begins with Warriors

There used to be a feeling that coursed through the halls of Scotiabank Arena. Even when the faces changed on the court or on the sideline, that electricity remained.

Whatever it was, the aura eventually dissipated and the Toronto Raptors are either a victim of this new reality or the reason for it.

The Raptors have a chance to course correct, both in terms of their presence at home and in the standings, when they begin a five-game homestand starting with the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.

While they’ve struggled at home in the last two seasons, Toronto spent the last decade building a basketball sanctuary on Canadian soil. The Raptors have only one losing season at home in the last ten years, accumulating a .627 win percentage. Their ‘worst’ of these nine seasons consisted of a 24-17 record in 2021-22.

This year’s iteration of the team is 8-7. A five-game stretch at home earlier in the season – a byproduct of the NBA Cup matchup against the New York Knicks – resulted in the Raptors going 1-4. Toronto has dropped five straight contests at home.

Ahead of the tip-off scheduled for 3:30 p.m. EST on Sportsnet, here are three additional storylines to look forward to.

Still missing an anchor​

With Jakob Poeltl out, the Raptors will be without their starting centre for a third consecutive game, a part of a stretch that includes five of the last six matchups. Sandro Mamukelashvili has been spectacular as a fill-in starter. He’s averaging 17.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and nearly four three-pointers in the last four games Poeltl has missed. While Mamukelashvili’s inspired play couldn’t help the Raptors get past the Washington Wizards on Dec. 26, the team hopes that Collin Murray-Boyles potential return from illness will bolster the frontcourt. Murray-Boyles recorded the first double-double of his career against the Wizards, while setting a career-high in offensive (9) and total rebounds (12).

RJ Barrett is listed as questionable but he’ll likely miss his 16th straight game. Even if Barrett somehow returns to action, it wouldn’t surprise anyone for him be under some kind of minutes restriction. Toronto is 6-9 without the Canadian in the lineup.

Warriors rising or reeling?​

The Warriors plan to manage De’Anthony Melton’s knee injury, ruling him out ahead of their game against the Raptors. Melton came off the bench and scored 16 points in 24 minutes in their previous game, a 126-116 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

Brandin Podziemski is listed as probable with an abdominal contusion. The third-year guard is producing the best shooting efficiency of his young career and continues to be an integral part of the Warriors’ bench.

Golden State has experienced a turbulent season up to this point. They’re currently enjoying a high – having won three games in a row – but their other out-of-character performances distract from the team’s success.

The Warriors have dropped games to the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, and all three of their matchups against the Portland Trail Blazers.

The team is still a noteworthy player in the Western Conference post-season race. When the stain of their prior defeats is wiped away, a glimmer still shines through. It’s just a different kind of glow in comparison to the last few seasons.

Golden State is currently 20th in offensive rating, its worst ranking since 2020-21. They’re also 17th in pace, matching last year’s result. Where the Warriors are excelling is on the other side of the court. They’re currently third in defensive rating, their best ranking since the championship season in 2021-22, during which the Warriors were rated number one.

Who are the Raptors?​

While the Warriors are leaning on a different identity to stay afloat in the treacherous Western Conference, the Raptors seemingly shuffle between different personalities.

Toronto held the Miami Heat to a season-low 91 points on Dec. 23 and followed that up two days later by giving up 138 points to the lowly Wizards. Between opponents figuring out how to deal with their extended pressure and exploiting a lack of an interior presence, the Raptors haven’t been able to commit to an identity despite ranking seventh in defensive rating.

Outside of Scottie Barnes, a scrappy Jamal Shead who has been assigned too heavy a workload in his second year and an inexperienced rookie in Murray-Boyles, the Raptors don’t have defenders who visibly pop on screen.

The Raptors are a flawed offensive group, even when Barrett returns, and the defence must sort itself out if they want to remain ahead of play-in territory.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-g...eir-rep-as-elite-home-team-begins-vs-warriors

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Raptors can’t follow up inspiring victory with letdown vs. Magic

The Toronto Raptors know a thing or two about sparking a flame before losing a fire to the winds of inconsistency.

After a nine-game winning streak, they dropped a game in overtime to the Charlotte Hornets on Nov. 29. An 8-2 start at home was followed by five consecutive losses at the Scotiabank Arena. Most recently, Toronto’s defence held the Miami Heat to a season-low 91 points before imploding against the Washington Wizards in a 138-117 loss.

The Raptors put together a feel-good comeback victory in overtime against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday and have earned another opportunity to string together encouraging performances.

Next up in their five-game homestand is a matchup against the Orlando Magic on Monday.

The Magic serve as a realistic playoff opponent, should the Eastern Conference’s status quo remain intact.

With tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST on Sportsnet, here are X additional storylines to keep an eye on.

The offence appears ‘almost’ whole again​

Without RJ Barrett, the Raptors have looked lost on offence, particularly during stretches featuring Brandon Ingram or Scottie Barnes flanked by bench options. The Canadian wing returned after a 15-game absence and seemingly reinvigorated the team’s offence. Even before the overtime period, Toronto scored 122 points against the Warriors’ third-ranked defence.

Barrett finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, and four assists while shooting 40 per cent from deep. He accomplished this despite playing on a minutes restriction. Barrett played 13 of his 23 minutes by halftime. It’ll be interesting to see if head coach Darko Rajakovic keeps Barrett under 24 minutes against the Magic.

Even with his limited run, Barrett changed the on-court dynamic and the starting lineup’s main weapons thrived because of it.

Scottie Barnes authored a historic night when he finished with 23 points, 25 rebounds and 10 assists. It was the first 20 and 20 triple-double in Raptors history, and the second time in the last 40 years a player recorded a 20, 25, and 10 game. Barnes’ 25 rebounds also tied a Raptors single-game record.

Immanuel Quickley added 27 points, his best offensive output in a win since dropping 25 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 13. His comfort level as an off-ball shooter next to Barnes’ playmaking and Brandon Ingram’s scoring skillset is key to raising this team’s ceiling.

Does Orlando believe in magic?​

Due to injuries to key rotational players, the Magic are having trouble escaping the mud associated with .500 basketball. Jalen Suggs is doubtful with a hip injury and expected to miss his seventh straight game. Tyus Jones has filled in as a spot starter, but he hasn’t produced in the way the Magic coaching staff had hoped. Meanwhile, since Suggs went down with an injury, it’s been Anthony Black whose properly answered the call. Black is experiencing somewhat of a third-year breakout and recently scored 38 points in a 127-126 victory over the Denver Nuggets.

Franz Wagner is also out due to a left ankle sprain. Wagner remains a significant part of the rotation and was averaging 22.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 24 games before his injury.

The two most obvious threats on the Magic are Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane. Banchero is experiencing some regression, particularly in his efficiency, but the season is young and he’s still a matchup threat at six-foot-10. In his first season with the Magic, Bane has finally rediscovered his form in December. He’s shooting 46.2 per cent from the field this month, which is up from November (44.7 per cent) and October (42.5 per cent).

Orlando is currently 7-8 on the road and 11-5 at home.

A shot in the dark​

The Raptors announced the signing of Mo Bamba to a non-guaranteed one-year deal. It’s not clear whether that means Jakob Poeltl’s back injury has worsened but Toronto is in dire need of a centre.

Bamba has floundered in the NBA since getting drafted in 2018. The seven-footer’s best season ironically came playing with the Orlando Magic in 2021-22. He finished the season averaging 10.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. Bamba is a career 35.6 per cent shooter from three. His prowess as a shooting threat is the ideal skillset beside this team’s best scorers.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-g...ow-up-inspiring-victory-with-letdown-vs-magic

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Raptors recapture 2019 thrill in historic comeback win vs. Warriors

Whenever the Toronto Raptors host the Golden State Warriors, there’s a palpable energy that surges through the building.

The obvious reason for the electric atmosphere is that these two organizations are forever connected after the 2019 NBA finals. It was a time defined by an impossible dream finally being realized for Toronto, while it marked the end of a dynasty in Golden State.

There’s also Stephen Curry. The 37-year-old is a superstar whose journey is nearing its epilogue. While he’s contributed nothing to the Raptors, Curry has always been considered as something of a “homegrown” type of talent by Canadian basketball fans. Curry grew up on the Raptors home court and there’s a bittersweet dread that one of his final appearances at the Scotiabank Arena is closer than anyone wants to admit.

Regardless of where the energy originated, it translated to the court and resulted in the Raptors defeating the Warriors 141-127 in overtime on Sunday.

For the Raptors, it was an opportunity to reintroduce Curry to an environment reminiscent of 2019 and a reminder to their fans of what is possible this year.

Here are four takeaways from what might end up being the win that turns the Raptors’ season around.

Rewriting the record books​

Scottie Barnes has always had a knack for elevating his play on a big stage. He’s been that way since his impressive playoff debut against the Philadelphia 76ers in his rookie season. With the lights glaring slightly brighter against the Warriors, Barnes finished with 23 points, 25 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals. It was the first 20 and 20 triple-double in franchise history. Barnes also tied the Raptors’ record for rebounds, a mark last set by Bismack Biyombo.

Barnes’ maniacal desire for second-chance opportunities (nine offensive rebounds) reloaded numerous possessions late in the final quarter and in overtime. Even while sharing the court with Curry, Barnes looked like the brightest star in the game.

“I come into every game with that mindset,” said Barnes. “I want to go out there, make an impact, and be the best player on the floor.”

Complete team victory​

In the search for wing production, particularly in the absence of RJ Barrett, the Raptors have resorted to throwing darts at a board, hoping one of their attempts lands on a suitable target. Against the Warriors, Ochai Agbaji, Gradey Dick, and Ja’Kobe Walter finally authored their best outing as a trio.

Hours before tip-off, head coach Darko Rajakovic explained what he was looking for out of his role players.

“It can feel like a demotion, but it’s not, learning what it takes to be successful in a role is not easy,” said Rajakovic. “There’s a learning curve to being a professional and to learning how to help your team every night.”

This afternoon, the Raptors auxiliary players were ahead of the curve.

Agbaji had a busy day chasing Curry on the defensive end. But it was his involvement on the offensive side of the ball that piqued interest in those who had given up on the fourth-year guard. With Curry guarding Agbaji, the Raptors forced Curry into six actions in the first seven minutes of the game. It resulted in eight points, with six going to Agbaji’s name. Multiple screening actions put Agbaji in position to attack the rim with momentum, with all of his points coming in the paint or at the free-throw line.

Curry had Agbaji in the proverbial blender, baiting the wing into multiple fouls. But it took Curry 30 shots to finish with 39 points. The Raptors made Curry work for it, and Agbaji played an integral role in that.

Walter finished with 18 points on 60 per cent shooting. It was his second consecutive game in double-digits after dropping 15 points against the Washington Wizards. On a team without reputation shooters, Walters’ efficiency and volume from the perimeter (6-for-11 in the last two contests) grant this team’s defence leeway to make chaotic plays on the other end.

While Dick finished with four points in 14 minutes, the 22-year-old was responsible for one of the most exciting plays on a night that featured countless thrills. While Toronto mounted a comeback near the end of the third quarter, Dick reached out for a loose ball and hurled it backwards over his head, ultimately leading to two points.

Don’t poke the bear​

The reason for the Raptors having to claw their way back into the game was the play of Draymond Green. The polarizing veteran finished with a season-high 21 points, with most of them coming from his four three-pointers. With Green shooting 32.4 per cent on 4.3 three-point attempts this season, Toronto’s defence continuously dared him to beat them from beyond-the-arc. Green made them pay with the most threes he’s hit since going 5-for-10 against the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 7.

The return of RJ Barrett​

After a 15-game absence due to a knee injury, RJ Barrett returned to action and immediately played a pivotal role. The Canadian finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists in nearly 24 minutes of action. Nearly 14 of his minutes came in the first half. Barrett was on a minute restriction and will likely be monitored before the second end of their back-to-back on Dec. 29.

Toronto went 6-9 during Barrett’s lengthy absence. His time away from the team helped solidify his importance, both within the organization and with the fans.

“Of course, I felt that and the team felt that,” said Barrett on whether there’s a better appreciation for what he provides on the court.

Barrett explained the frustration that came with missing the number of games he did. He’s never dealt with an injury like this. Barrrett leaned on support within his circle to recover physically and mentally.

“My dad told me everything happens for a reason so I tried to stay positive through it all,” said Barrett. “But it felt good to play tonight and help the team win.”

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-s...9-thrill-in-historic-comeback-win-vs-warriors

 

[Toronto Raptors]

How the Raptors continue redefining their identity with win over Magic

Good teams play the schedule in front of them. The Toronto Raptors have struggled with that this season. But it isn’t too late to rewrite how fans and pundits look back on this iteration of the team.

After an emotionally draining comeback victory against the Golden State Warriors, the Raptors welcomed the Orlando Magic into their building for the second game of their back-to-back on Monday.

It took a false start or two but the Raptors ultimately defeated the Magic 107-106, suggesting that unwritten chapters remain in the story of a team that refuses to limit itself as a play-in contender.

With the win, Toronto improved to 2-6 on the second end of a back-to-back. The Raptors had entered the game on a three-game losing streak in games without rest.

Stranger things have happened, but something is brewing in Toronto, and its cultivation must continue.

Here are four more takeaways from another electric Raptors comeback victory.

The right side up​

The Raptors seemed caught in a forever loop. No matter how hard they pushed, they remained stuck dealing with a 10-point deficit. The tide finally began to turn when Ja’Kobe Walter hit the deck for a loose-ball steal midway through the fourth quarter. On the following possession, Walter’s effort drew an illegal screen on the Magic offence. Walter also earned a deflection late in the game, which led to another Orlando turnover. His 10 points officially extended his streak of double-digit scoring to a season-high three games. There’s excitement for that side of the ball. But for Walter to also contribute defensively is an encouraging sign in the sophomore’s overall development. He’s figuring out how to change games, especially when RJ Barrett is out.

Rookie Collin Muray-Boyles returned from illness and also played a significant part in the Raptors’ comeback win. The defensive dynamo confirmed post-game that he had been quarantined from the team, leading to less preparation and a lengthy ramp-up to find his second wind early in the game against Orlando. But once he found his footing, Murray-Boyles picked up where he left off and finished with 12 rebounds, with seven of them coming on the offensive end.

The Raptors coaching staff is beginning to lean into more minutes that pair Murray-Boyles with Scottie Barnes, and the early results are tantalizing. Raptors fans can certainly get used to watching two defensive geniuses play off each other for years to come.

The bridge​

There’s something simple about comparing Jamal Shead to one of the greatest Raptors of all time in Kyle Lowry. It’s not that Shead belongs anywhere near that kind of label or expectation, but he’s writing a similar love letter to Toronto sports fans who adore a blue-collar athlete.

It could be the way he consistently draws the illegal screen. Or the way he seizes the moment. And it’s definitely also how he throws up a push-shot during paint drives.

Shead still occasionally takes on too much offensively, but it’s difficult to blame him on nights when the Raptors struggle from the field.

He doesn’t shy away from the low points of a game, and it’s why Shead finished with a team-high 19 points, to go with four rebounds and five assists.

Squint and it makes sense to see Lowry’s silhouette. Of course, it was Shead who tied the game at 102-102 after he finished a contested layup over Anthony Black to send the home crowd into a frenzy.

Escape from past reputation​

The Raptors trailed 29-18 after 12 minutes and it’s because they had a rebounding problem. The Magic entered the matchup averaging 16.2 second-chance points, good for seventh-best in the league. Toronto had already conceded nine points after the first frame.

Enter Mo Bamba.

Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic made the obvious decision to throw the newly acquired Raptors into the fire and the results couldn’t have been more chaotic.

On the Raptors’ first possession, Immanuel Quickley threw a lob up for Bamba, but the big man slipped and landed awkwardly on his back. It didn’t necessarily inspire confidence amidst the sold-out crowd inside the Scotiabank Arena. But the rollercoaster had only begun.

In four fascinating minutes, Bamba blocked three shots and failed to snare a single rebound. While it wasn’t entirely Bamba’s fault, as he was far too busy contesting any shot attempt in his airspace, the Raptors conceded six offensive rebounds while he was on the court.

His journey with the Raptors will be a fun watch.

Scoring sorcerer​

This is an assumption, but this might not be Gradey Dick’s favourite season of his young NBA career. Caught in a vortex of inconsistency with Ochai Agbaji and Walter, Dick has struggled with reduced playing time and a shorter runway on the court.

But with the Raptors starting the game colder than Canadian winters (3-for-14 from the field and 0-for-4 from three), Dick channelled whatever confidence he weaponized last season. He finished the first half leading the team in scoring with 15 points.

His offensive outburst included two three-pointers. Dick had gone 1-for-11 from beyond the arc in the last five contests. When the third-year Kansas product plays with certainty and intent, he provides the Raptors with the pack-a-punch type of skillset a contending team needs from the bench.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-s...redefining-their-identity-with-win-over-magic

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Raptors ring in the new year with loss to the depleted Nuggets

The Toronto Raptors faced the Denver Nuggets in the midst of their five-game home-stand. After clinching back-to-back comeback wins against Golden State and Orlando, everyone was probably ready for a matchup that didn’t involve fingernail biting or a double-digit deficit. Especially when facing a shell of Denver’s regular lineup. Unfortunately, that’s not what anyone got. The Raptors spent much of the game trailing, were locked in a fourth-quarter stalemate, and despite every best effort, they fell in their final matchup of the year.

SCOTTIE LET IT FLY
RUN THEM ALL-STAR VOTES https://t.co/hBrcYmT62a pic.twitter.com/GMgErUV5QG

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 1, 2026

The Nuggets have been hit by the injury bug hard this season, first losing Christian Braun on November 12 to an ankle injury, followed almost immediately by Aaron Gordon on November 21 after a hard fall that led to a hamstring strain. Next, Cam Johnson hyperextended his knee a week ago, resulting in a bone bruise that will keep him sidelined the next four to six weeks. Jokic was the most recent to go down, also hyperextending his left knee on Monday in what will keep him out likely until February.

Darko quipped before the game about wanting to face Denver with a sixth player so they could double Jokic and match up everywhere else, but the NBA “didn’t have an understanding for that request”. Not having to face four of the five starters is advantageous in some sense, but also a challenge as scouting and game plan can be a challenge when facing guys who have played as few as three or four games.

The guys who did check in for Denver made an effort, never giving in despite being outmatched and losing a sizeable lead. The tandem of Jamal Murray and Jonas Valanciunas forced the Raptors to adjust their defence accordingly. Murray drew double teams and full-court coverage and still managed to finish with 21-7-6. Valanciunas made an early exit with an apparent injury that forced him to limp off the court on his own weight. Despite this, he ended with 17-9-4 and the lack of his rebounding presence on the floor for the Nuggets appeared to be a game-changer. Peyton Watson led scoring for the Nuggets with 24-8.

Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes both used this as an opportunity to make their All-Star case after some lacklustre voting returns. Scottie had his second triple double of the season, finishing with 20-14-10. His motor on defence and passing IQ were crucial for the Raptors tonight. Ingram’s scoring was the biggest part of his night, showing the ability to isolate defenders and make difficult shots to give him 30-8-1. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles continued to impress in this matchup as well, although it wasn’t necessarily reflected in the stat sheet as he only had 6-9-2 with 5 of those rebounds being offensive. It’s all the little things that he did and his defensive presence that impressed as he continues to carve out his role on the team.

TOO SMOOTH
RUN THEM B.I ALL-STAR VOTES https://t.co/0LAA7C9xKe pic.twitter.com/wWAimeXN8u

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 1, 2026

On paper this looked like an easy win, but the shooting struggles that plagued Toronto throughout the game were their biggest enemy.

Brief game recap:​

Denver went ahead early, benefitting from Jonas Valanciunas’ size in the paint and Jamal Murray’s otherworldly ability to make shots. The tandem worked well together to create a successful 2-man game. Defensive adjustments were the Raptors’ friend, running doubles and traps on Murray in an attempt to force the rest of the depleted Nuggets to create offence. Walter, Shead, and Murray-Boyles all checked in, but weren’t able to make much of an offensive difference. By the end of the first, they shifted to a full-court press and tried to deny Murray the ball entirely, but with only Barnes, Ingram, and Murray-Boyles managing to score, Denver managed a 9-point lead led mostly by Peyton Watson’s scoring.

THAT’S HOW YOU MOVE THE ROCK pic.twitter.com/7hrOuwBPju

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 1, 2026

Rookie CMB had some great pick-and-roll action early on that helped get the crowd back into the game. Immanuel Quickley got going in the second quarter, a welcome sight after struggling his last outing. After a made 3-pointer during a time stoppage, he seemed to find a bit of rhythm and sunk a pair of long range shots in succession, scoring a total of 12 in the frame. Barnes and Ingram chipped in as well. Denver got a lot of easy looks with good off-ball movement, cuts, and rolls to the basket. Toronto held for the last possession but couldn’t convert, leaving them trailing by the same margin.

The steal & the finish = 10/10 pic.twitter.com/35hkBKmzQ7

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 1, 2026

The Raptors saw what they needed to and emerged from the locker room far more engaged and ready. CMB replaced Ochai in the lineup, and defensive engagement now seemed to pass the eye test, forcing turnovers and a shot clock violation. Despite his minutes restriction RJ was still able to chip in to the offence, sinking a 3-pointer and adding a few more points in the paint. The Raptors’ biggest challenge in the quarter seemed to be the whistle, with Denver getting into the bonus early and frequently heading to the line. The lead flip-flopped a few times before miscues by Toronto at the end of the quarter gave Denver a two-possession lead.

JAMAL B.I pic.twitter.com/FtfxEahIMu

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 1, 2026

The Raptors seemed to continue to feed the narrative that they’re a team that likes the fourth quarter, coming out of the stoppage with immense energy. They closed the gap and re-built a lead, going possession for possession with the Nuggets. Herein lies the frustration with this season though, as they would work incredibly hard defensively, win the possession, miss a shot, and immediately allow an easy basket on the other end. This pattern kept them locked in a duel during the fourth quarter, neither team able to draw away. Scottie, Quickley, and CMB were leaving everything on the floor, trying to secure the win. Quickley dove on the court for a loose ball, Scottie drew an offensive foul, and then they played the foul and shoot game to try and at least force overtime. RJ had the shot but it was from a few feet beyond the 3-point line and the ball rimmed out. A pair of missed free-throws for Ingram made an incredible shot that had the arena rocking, but upon replay, the shot was a fraction of a second too late, sealing Toronto’s fate.

IF YOU’RE WATCHING THIS, YOU KNOW.
VOTE SCOTTIE.https://t.co/hBrcYmT62a pic.twitter.com/wVzLNLFdCb

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 1, 2026

Final thoughts​

In retrospect, despite how badly all of us probably wanted BI’s shot to be counted, in a game like this it probably shouldn’t have been down to the wire, and especially not a single possession. The fourth quarter offence struggled as a whole and the shooting woes throughout the game posed the biggest challenge for Toronto.

After the game Darko pointed out that for the bench to be 5-34 from the field and STILL be in the game is the biggest takeaway. Watching film and learning from the game will be all they can take away, ever finding the silver lining despite a frustrating situation.

Brandon Ingram’s first thought was that he needed to “cut his fingernails” since he thought the shot was going in too, but afterwards echoed the reality that this is a learning experience.

The Raptors will continue their home-stand Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks at 7:30 pm ET.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-s...he-new-year-with-loss-to-the-depleted-nuggets

 

[Toronto Raptors]

The Raptors eye early start on New Year’s resolutions against Nuggets

The Toronto Raptors didn’t wait for the calendar to turn for a reason to initiate the early stages of a sorely needed transformation.

They’re still a long way from being the type of team they want to be. But from the perspective of those not privy to what’s going on inside the locker room, the Raptors seemingly have taken a long enough look in the mirror to confirm what’s been known for a while – they need to be better.

After two dramatic comeback victories in their last two games, the Raptors have another opportunity to redefine who they ultimately want to be when they host the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.

With tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST on Sportsnet, here are five resolutions for the Raptors’ matchup against the Nuggets and the new year.

From notoriously hurt to a clean bill of health​

The Toronto Raptors medical team took care of Kawhi Leonard. Seven years later, they’re guiding Brandon Ingram to play in his 35th straight game.

After only suiting up for 18 games last season, it’s something to celebrate

It’ll be Ingram’s longest string of appearances since playing in 34 consecutive contests in 2023-24. He started a career-high 64 games that year. Ingram is also playing 34.2 minutes per game, which ranks second only to his 2020-21 season when he averaged 34.3 minutes

Ingram will undoubtedly miss time this year but if he can set a new personal best in games played and finish around the 70 appearances, it’ll go a long way in justifying the trade to acquire him, even if any potential playoff run is cut short.

Rebuild We The North​

Once upon a time, not too long ago, the Raptors used to play in an environment that opponents feared. That reputation took a hit in the last two years, with the Raptors going 32-50 at home. But from 2013-23, Toronto was an elite basketball fortress. The team only one had one losing season at home (16-20 in 2020-21) and compiled a .627 win percentage. During this nine-season stretch, the Raptors finished an average of 16.4 wins above the .500 mark.

After winning the first two contests of a five-game homestand, the Raptors are currently 10-7 at home. The Scotiabank Arena has felt like a raucous party again in the last two games. Capturing that vibe enough times so it becomes normal again can catapult the Raptors back into the playoffs.

Take advantage of other teams’ misfortune​

With Nikola Jokić hyperextending his left knee, Denver must deal with an MVP-sized hole in its frontcourt. Even before Jokic’s injury, the Nuggets had desperately yearned for good health headed into 2026.

Cam Johnson recently hurt his right knee. Christian Braun has been out with an ankle injury since Nov. 12 and Aaron Gordon has missed the last 17 games due to his hamstring. Jokic is expected to miss at least four weeks, and suddenly, the Nuggets are in danger of slipping into the play-in amid a crowded Western Conference playoff race.

For the Raptors, this means taking care of business in an industry in which they’ve struggled to find their footing. The Los Angeles Lakers (Luka Doncic), Boston Celtics (Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown), and New York Knicks (OG Anunoby) have all recently stolen wins from the Raptors without key players in their lineup.

It’s often pointed out that some of the Raptors’ inconsistencies can be blamed on Jakob Poeltl and RJ Barrett missing time. There’s some legitimacy to those claims. But opposing injuries don’t seem to benefit Toronto and that’s a problem.

It’s December and there’s plenty of runway left but the Raptors need to begin stacking up wins before the race truly heats up in March.

Sprint out of the gates​

False starts have plagued the Raptors in the last two games. While Scottie Barnes’ historic night saved them against the Golden State Warriors and a scrappy bench unit propelled the team past the Orlando Magic, falling behind early in games isn’t necessarily a sound plan.

A quick start is key to any team’s success but the Raptors lean on momentum more than most teams. Toronto is 12-4 when leading after the first 12 minutes. The Raptors are also 7-0 when they win the first two quarters.

Stay alive at the five​

Poeltl is being reevaluated in a week but there’s a feeling among the fanbase that the Austrian’s back issues will linger throughout the season. Scottie Barnes, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Murray-Boyles have done an admirable job of taking on centre responsibilities, but it’s not sustainable over the course of 82 games.

The Raptors’ latest attempt at addressing the problem was signing Mo Bamba to a non-guaranteed contract. The newest Raptor recorded one block in nearly four minutes of action in his debut.

There’s a mixture of curiosity and excitement around the acquisition that extends to his teammates in the locker room.

“Everybody knows that we needed that…we’ve been running a lot of small-ball five, especially with Jakob being out,” said Murray-Boyles. “So definitely having someone protect the paint and grab more rebounds is something we really need.”

How Bamba fares as the backup centre may determine how quickly the Raptors act in the 2026 trade market.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-g...tart-on-new-years-resolutions-against-nuggets

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Raptors’ strong offensive showing squashes Hawks in fourth quarter

It’s a new year, and many people are contemplating their goals and resolutions for 2026 — the Toronto Raptors are not exempt. Ahead of their match-up against the Atlanta Hawks, the first of a two-game series between these two teams, Raptors’ coach Darko Rajakovic talked about setting good habits. Using the word ‘habits’ is another way to describe consistency, something the Raptors have been lacking so far this season. Heading into the weekend with a 20-15 record, everything from injuries to weird schedules to just the play on the court in general has pointed to a lack of consistency that is starting to catch up with this team.

With Jakob Poeltl still out, his back injury leading to a week of rest to see if it would help, Collin Murray-Boyles was inserted into the starting lineup alongside Barnes, Barrett (still on a minutes restriction), Quickley, and Ingram.

As are most games against Atlanta, honestly, this game was weird. Toronto scored nearly 80 points in the first half alone, the officiating was scattered and odd at times, and despite a big offensive performance, the Raptors were only up 7 at halftime. With all the calls from the refs, it felt like the game was way longer than usual.

The best part of this game, hands down, was Brandon Ingram. He’s… incredible. A hooper’s hooper, as he was described at the beginning of the season. Just a GUY. When he gets hot (which is most nights), he’s unstoppable. Not only that, he’s just so damn fun to watch. I theorized earlier in the season (during the winning streak, if I’m not mistaken) that Ingram has revitalized this franchise. When he plays like he did tonight, that statement rings true. He scored 29 points on 11-15 shooting from the field with 9 rebounds and 1 assist.

After a tightly contested three quarters, the Raptors were finally able to pull away in the fourth. RJ Barrett had arguably his best game since being back from his knee injury, as he scored a season-high 29 points — another best part of this game. He and Ingram combined to lead the Raptors’ offence, helped along by Barnes. Since defence isn’t exactly the Hawks’ strong suit, once the Raptors got going and were able to make some stops on the other end, they could leap ahead a bit. This resulted in a 134-117 win for Toronto.

first team to play defense wins

— William Lou (@william_lou) January 4, 2026

While the Raptors are definitely struggling with consistency, tonight showed a glimpse of what they are capable of. A strong offensive showing, with Barrett and Ingram each scoring 29 points and Barnes scoring 20 points. While they could have been better about playing defense the entire game, they stepped it up when it mattered most, in the final minutes.

“We have to do that a lot earlier,” Barrett said about their defensive performance in the fourth quarter.

“I think I got lost in the game, in the fourth quarter,” Barrett said about what felt different tonight. “That fourth quarter, that’s Raptors basketball. That’s who we need to be,” Barrett continued.

Those small things are surely the habits Darko wants his team to be establishing as they head into the new year, and are almost halfway through the season. To be consistent would be to stack more of these good days closer to each other.

When asked about what he wants his players to take from this game into Monday’s game, Rajakovic praised the pace of the game and the play from Brandon Ingram and RJ Barrett. He praised both players’ defence, especially. Rajakovic also talked about studying film from a game like tonight’s, giving the disparity from quarter to quarter. He mentioned they will look back on games like this and really dive into what should be salvaged and what needs to be corrected.

That will come in handy immediately, as the Raptors will play the Hawks for the fourth and final time this season on Monday. In such close back-to-back games, studying film and having a solid game plan based on what worked tonight will be key to their success. The Raptors could use a back-to-back win as well, to start building a streak. They haven’t won more than two games in a row since their nine-game winning streak in November.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-s...tlanta-hawks-barnes-barrett-ingram-game-recap

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Raptors sweep season series against Atlanta Hawks

It feels like the 87th meeting between the Toronto Raptors and the Atlanta Hawks this season. In reality, it’s the fourth, but it feels like more. Especially given that these two teams played on Saturday and then Monday again, with no games in between.

Before the game, Darko Rajakovic said he liked playing teams again and again in a short amount of time. To him, it kind of mimics what the playoffs are like, having to prepare to play the same team over and over. Plus, for a team like his that doesn’t have much playoff experience, anything that mimics that setting is welcome.

There were things Darko wanted his team to take into Monday’s matchup that they did on Saturday, and a few things that he wanted them to leave behind. Their poor defensive play in the first three quarters was probably the biggest thing, given they allowed the Hawks over 70 points in the first half of Saturday’s game. They turned everything around in the fourth, leading to a solid win, and that final quarter contained most of what Darko wanted to repeat on Monday.

Clearly, that was still fresh on their mind as they started the game on Monday, immediately playing better defence than their showing on Saturday. Someone impressive on the defensive end so far this season? Brandon Ingram, who was infamously NOT known as a defence guy when he was traded to the Raptors, to the point that it was a hesitation for many fans in believing in the deal. Ingram has developed on the defensive end enough that he’s s threat in the paint, something the Raptors need from him as he’s so important on the offensive end.

After the game, Darko Rajakovic told the media that Ingram was shocked at the defensive intensity he saw the Raptors’ Summer League team display. From there, Darko explained that Ingram realized he needed to step it up when it came to his own defensive intensity. According to Darko, Ingram is a “team guy,” he just wants to win, and he wants to contribute in any way he needs to, to be the player his team needs him to be. For this team, they need him to be a defensive threat, so he became one.

As we established on Saturday, the Hawks famously don’t really play much defence themselves, so the Raptors were able to take control and keep it. I’d make a “maybe that’s why Trae Young wants out” quip, but he’s the kinda the worst for it, which is why I don’t want him near the Raptors in trade talks.

Unfortunately, because the Raptors seem to love a clutch game situation this season, the score got closer as the fourth quarter started. Thankfully, Ingram, RJ Barrett, and Scottie were able to hold the team steady offensively, and the team continued to play good enough defence to hold off Atlanta. It was a wire-to-wire victory for Toronto, ending the game up 118-100 over the Hawks.

With this win, the Raptors officially sweep the season series against the Atlanta Hawks, having won all four games against them this season.

It was definitely a team effort, with no player reaching 20 points in scoring, and their three-point shooting staying at 32.4%. It was a great game for Collin Murray-Boyles and Gradey Dick, the rookie who has been impressive when he’s been given a shot, and the third-year player, Gradey Dick, who has been struggling as of late but had a great showing. CMB scored 17 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 stocks, and Dick scored 11 points off the bench.

Murray-Boyles said after the game that the one thing that has gotten easier in his half a season in the NBA is the ability to follow the game plan his coaches lay out for him. He likes to play with energy and isn’t afraid to mess up if he’s out there playing his hardest, in his words. He added that he prepared extensively to be able to be as physical as he has been as a rookie – a rarity with guys coming fresh from college basketball.

Barnes gave a nod to the team’s bench, saying, “They are a huge part of [the Raptors’] success, we have a next man up mentality.”

This is the first time the Raptors have won three games in a row since their nine-game winning streak in November. They head out on a mini road trip this week, playing Charlotte and then Boston, before coming back to play Philadelphia in back-to-back home games. If they keep up the offence and defensive energy they displayed in the last five quarters of basketball, they could extend this current streak a bit more.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-s...lanta-hawks-game-series-ingram-barnes-barrett

 

[Zedster]

Good to see the Raptors stringing together some wins heading into January. That sweep of the Hawks was nice, even if Atlanta isn't exactly a defensive juggernaut.

The Ingram defensive development storyline is quietly one of the more interesting things happening this season. When the trade went down, a lot of folks were skeptical about his effort on that end, but credit to him for buying in. Darko's comment about Ingram watching the Summer League kids and realizing he needed to match that intensity is pretty telling about the culture they're trying to build.

CMB continues to impress. The offensive rebounding numbers are wild for a rookie, and his willingness to just play hard without worrying about mistakes is refreshing. Pairing him with Scottie defensively has a lot of potential long-term.

That Nuggets loss stings though. Going 5-34 from the bench against a team missing Jokic, Gordon, Braun, and Cam Johnson is rough. Those are the games you need to bank when the schedule gets tougher. At least they stayed in it, but Darko's right that it shouldn't have come down to the wire.

The Mo Bamba experiment will be interesting to watch. Three blocks in four minutes is eye-catching, but zero rebounds while giving up six offensive boards on the other end is... something. Hopefully he settles in and gives them some real minutes at the five while Jakob is out.

Boston on the road this week will be a good measuring stick for where this team actually is.

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Heated Rivalry actor reflects on LGBTQ+ athletes reaching out

We talked about the hit Crave show Heated Rivalry a few weeks ago, when season one was still rolling out, and the craze was just setting in. Even then, before the season’s final episodes were released and the show hit international notoriety, there was just something about it that felt different. It was honest, something so very rare when it comes to covering professional sports. While the show definitely becomes a little less about hockey as the season progresses, turning into a beautiful and intimate love story between the show’s two leads, its impact on the sports world continues to prove itself.

Back when we first talked about the show here, it was more about how the show was causing a shift in the way the media was talking about these topics. I was so pleasantly surprised seeing legitimate hockey podcasts like What Chaos! and Empty Netters were doing in-depth, honest reviews of the show in a way that was respectful and joyful. It became a part of the viewing experience, watching the episode when it dropped on Crave, and then watching the podcast boys break down their favourite parts. Maybe my favourite moment of these wonderful review shows was during an episode of What Chaos! where they put up a graphic with the odds of where Ilya Rozanov would sign as an MLH free agent in the show. Perfect, brilliant content. 10/10 no notes.

THIS IS SO FUNNY @WhatChaosShow pic.twitter.com/aHu1DQoR9J

— chelsea leite (@chelsealeite) December 29, 2025

Also, yes, I did reach out and pitch myself to be the official WNBA correspondent for the What Chaos! podcast, since my guys, DJ and Pete, kept referencing that they enjoy covering the WNBA. They seemed open to the idea, so here’s hoping.

As the season of Heated Rivalry progressed, it got even better (which is saying a lot because it was so good from the start), and eventually hit the global zeitgeist. It’s been breaking the fourth wall of sports, and continues to do so more each day, even weeks after the season finale aired. Hockey teams are legitimately interacting with the show, playing “All The Things She Said” at NHL games, inviting the cast to Pride Night celebrations, and posting parts from the show on social media. Hilariously enough, the Buffalo Sabres have gone on a TEAR since Heated Rivalry jokingly jabbed them in episode four, when Shane and Ilya talk about hockey cities they love or don’t love to play in, and posted about it on their social media.

Canucks broadcast examining the Sabres' W-L record since Buffalo got called out on Heated Rivalry.

Still need to know that fictional Buffalo MLH team's nickname… pic.twitter.com/R0D4lqGBeQ

— Rob Sanderson (@RobSandersonPxP) January 7, 2026

Another sidebar to say that I keep trying to get them to play “All The Things She Said” at a Raptors game, with no luck so far. The quest continues. I will keep you all updated.

Yet, maybe the biggest impact the show has the potential to make is within athletes themselves, and the culture around talking about LGBTQ+ topics as professional male athletes. As my new favourite hockey podcasts have proven to me over the past month, sports media guys are (for the most part?) pretty chill. As I said in my last post about Heated Rivalry, I knew that. I work with some incredible guys on the Toronto Raptors beat, who would have engaged in the same way should Heated Rivalry been about basketball instead of hockey. Also, if Crave wants to explore the idea of a basketball spinoff of the same subject, I would like to submit my name to write it.

Yeah, the media has been great about it, but the reality remains that there is still a rift when it comes to the teams, leagues, and athletes themselves and the topic of LGBTQ+ existence in these leagues. There are currently no openly LGBTQ+ athletes in the major men’s sports leagues. Heated Rivalry’s take on honest, human love just made those of us who follow sports IRL reflect on how these leagues and athletes are so taboo about these topics. Having these open conversations about Heated Rivalry, about the existence of Queer love in professional male sports, will hopefully continue the work of breaking down the stigma that still exists in this topic in these sports leagues. It’s more than just putting on a performative Pride Night every year; it’s normalizing these topics in conversation, in locker rooms, and removing the hateful stigma that still exists when you breach these subjects.

The truth is that there are definitely Queer athletes in the NHL, NBA, NFL, MLB and other male sports leagues; they just don’t feel safe being open about it. That’s the main conflict in the show, something the characters are constantly fighting against. Hudson Williams, the Vancouver-based actor who plays Shane Hollander, says on a new episode of Andy Cohen’s podcast that closeted professional athletes have anonymously reached out to him and the creators of the Heated Rivalry books and show. While respecting the anonymity of these players, he calls the messages “lovely,” and says they have made them realize that their “fun show” is also hitting people in a real place.

Hudson Williams talks to Andy Cohen about receiving messages from closeted pro athletes following the release of “Heated Rivalry”

Full interview will be released tomorrow https://t.co/s9Er2cmUhv pic.twitter.com/stFTEluJbT

— Hudson Williams Updates (@hudsonwupdates) January 7, 2026

Of course, in the fictional world of Heated Rivalry, (spoiler alert) a player does end up coming out publicly as gay, and the joy is palpable through the screen as Wolf Parade’s “I’ll Believe in Anything” blasts through your television speakers and likely through the walls into your neighbour’s house. You’ve told those neighbours they need to tune into the show, though, as you’ve told basically everyone in your life by now, so it’s fine. The reality is, we don’t know if that same joy would be reflected if a pro-athlete in one of these major men’s leagues were to come out in real life.

Yet, the response to this show from fans, casual sports people, and the teams themselves trepidly interacting with it, is the most anyone has ever talked about the topic of Queerness in men’s sports in recent years. Maybe some of these players who watched Heated Rivalry and saw themselves through Shane Hollander, Ilya Rozanov, and Scott Hunter begin to warm, ever so slightly, to the idea of being as honest in their own lives. Of course, it’s not their job to, as the pressure of being one of the first to do so is not something to be taken lightly, and they deserve their privacy to come out on their own terms. Yet, if that’s something they wanted to do, it almost feels like Heated Rivalry has started a conversation that may lead to the normalization of those conversations. Or at least, bring us one step closer to normalizing those conversations.

The reality is, it’s more important than ever to be normalizing these conversations. We are in a time where the rights of LGBTQ+ people are being threatened. While these rights are being threatened in all aspects of the lives of people in this community, there is also a huge movement to strip these rights in sports, and in youth sports, especially. As Hudson says in the clip above, Heated Rivalry is a fun show, yet its place in popular culture has the potential to also make it an incredibly important piece of art. To show people who may question the rights of LGBTQ+ people that their love story and lives in general deserve to exist just as much as anyone else’s.

Harrison Browne, who makes a cameo in Heated Rivalry, is an ex-professional hockey player and the first transgender pro hockey player. He wrote about his experiences as a trans athlete, as well as the current threats to youth sports in Alberta, in the Globe and Mail this week. His article is an important and personal take on the attacks on transgender children’s access to sports that anyone should read and reflect on.

So yes, we love a spicy show about sports. We love joking about the show’s little quips about hockey, inviting ourselves to the cottage, and making too many burgers because the recipe says so. Yet, this show has started a crucially important conversation as well. It’s continued to help normalize talking about Queer content in television and Queer content in sports. It’s bringing the romance genre, something we all know sells and is wildly popular, into a new audience. It’s proving the saying “love is love,” while a little overused, is still very true; you don’t need to directly relate with the identities of Shane and Ilya — as hockey players or Queer people — to enjoy watching their love story. It’s just good television. Yet, if you do relate on either front, it’s also showing that there are a ton of people who will love and support you.

While we eagerly wait for season two information and rewatch season one a million times, hopefully, the important conversations Heated Rivalry has sparked will cause some genuinely good change in the culture of male professional sports.

Also, if they need someone to come play a sports reporter on season two, this is me formally submitting myself for consideration.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/general/49062/heated-rivalry-pride-sports-athletes-lgbtq-nba-nhl

 

[Toronto Raptors]

What can the Raptors do against the Celtics juggernaut?

In 2023, the Celtics swept the season series against the Raptors. In 2024, they did it again. In 2025, the Raptors stole one game, but were unable to force a tie. Now, in 2026, with the Raptors on pace to have their best regular season since 2020, the Celtics have beat the Raptors at home twice, once without Jaylen Brown. Now, limping into TD Garden in Boston tonight, do the Raptors have any hope of avoiding another loss to their Divisional rivals?

To say that the Celtics have had the Raptors’ number this season would be something of an understatement, and the Celtics have more than proved themselves capable of contending without Jayson Tatum, sitting atop Toronto at third in the conference standings. While the Raptors’ last loss to the Cs on December 20th can be in part chalked up to injuries to RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl, the Celtics were playing without Jaylen Brown, making the excuse moot. Even with Barrett back for tonight’s game, Poeltl is still out, while Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram are both listed as day-to-day. This is far from ideal, with the Celtics back to full strength and playing at home.

The Raptors are coming off of a three game winning streak, capped off by Immanuel Quickley’s heroics in Charlotte, whereas the Celtics are coming off a close loss to the Denver Nuggets, looking to find their footing again. This will be a prime opportunity to do so. The Celtics and Raptors have developed something of an unfriendly relationship throughout the 2020s, beginning with a game 7 playoff loss in the 2020 Eastern Conference Semifinals, and most recently with Jaylen Brown’s ignorant comment suggesting that Scottie Barnes has down syndrome. However, tonight game is an unlikely chance for the Raptors to strike back, as with the probable absences of Ingram and Barnes, the Raptors’ best offensive and defensive players will be unable to contribute and keep the team competitive against the Celtics.

This game should be an opportunity, rather, to further see what the Raps’ bench can do. Collin Murray-Boyles has been on fire recently, pulling in a career high 15 rebounds against the Charlotte Hornets, and having him step in for Scottie will be an opportunity for the rookie to show out. Boyles is in many ways Scottie Barnes-lite, combining defensive prowess with strong facilitation skills. Whether he steps up in the paint against Boston will mean the difference between a close game and a blowout tonight. Jamal Shead has been putting up consistent numbers of late, while Sandro Mamukelashvili has provided solid scoring when forced into the starting lineup. In the absence of Ingram, one player to watch will be Gradey Dick, whose scoring has oscillated wildly between good bench numbers, and near absence from the box score. The Raptors have a low-pressure opportunity tonight to try out defensive schemes to try and see what works well against their potential playoff opponents, but with high likelihood of a Barnes and Ingram absence, expectations from fans should be moderated in this Eastern Conference clash.

Game Information and Details​

Game Time: 7:00 EST

Watch On: SportsNet

Injury Report:

Toronto: Jakob Poeltl (Out – back), Brandon Ingram (Day-To-Day – thumb), Scottie Barnes (Day-To-Day – knee)

Celtics: Josh Minott (Out – ankle)

Projected Lineups

Toronto: Collin Murray-Boyles, Ja’Kobe Walter, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Sandro Mamukelashvili

Boston: Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Neemias Queta, Sam Hauser, Payton Pritchard

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/general/4...lin-murray-boyles-scottie-barnes-jaylen-brown

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Shorthanded Raptors fall to Celtics despite bench performance

The Toronto Raptors closed out their brief road trip in a matchup against the Boston Celtics. Shorthanded and facing a hot-handed Celtics team almost at full strength proved to be too much for the Raptors. Despite the strong defensive effort and scoring from the bench, it wasn’t enough to bring Toronto another win as they fell to the Celtics 117-125.

Boston lost Jayson Tatum for the season a while ago, but despite his absence, Payton Pritchard and Jaylen Brown have shone. They are both able to score and facilitate for their teammates. Pritchard’s timing and shot selection made him an efficient scorer, finishing with 27-5-8 on 12-19 shooting. Brown’s shooting wasn’t as effective, but he found ways to get to the line where he converted every shot, contributing to the 25-8-7 he closed the game with. Despite struggling, his gravity on the floor helped open up space for everyone else. His absences from the court usually saw Boston either losing its lead at least in part.

RJ and IQ were both big factors in this game, as anyone could have expected. They finished with 19-4-7 and 17-2-13 respectively. While both did a bit of everything, they faced tough competition in the top half of Boston’s lineup, needing the bench to play winning minutes. Jamal Shead and Alijah Martin played phenomenal defence that helped make that happen, chipping in 13 points and 7 assists and 7 points and 3 assists, respectively. Ja’Kobe Walter and rookie Collin Murray-Boyles also both had solid games on both ends of the court. Ja’Kobe ended with 19 points shooting 5-9 from 3-point territory while CMB had 7 points to go along with his defence.

Gimme dat pic.twitter.com/I8hwKSMRWY

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 10, 2026

The Celtics started with the ball and were able to convert on their first possession by way of free throws. Their offence looked smooth early, taking advantage of one of the more unique starting lineups of the season touching the floor for Toronto, composed of Ja’Kobe, RJ, Mamu, IQ, and CMB. Everything was finding the bottom of the basket Boston, who shot over 70% from the floor for much of the first frame.

For the Raptors, Immanuel Quickley showed his intention to lead the Raptors in this game by shooting early and often and converting a pair of long range shots in the opening minutes. He also facilitated well, finding guys running the floor and cutting to the basket.

Here’s a perfect example:

The two-man game pic.twitter.com/npBGBiGbYJ

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 10, 2026

Toronto had their work cut out for them, lacking Scottie, BI, and Jak. The lineup needed to be bolstered by the two-way guys in Martin and Lawson who have been having a record year with the 905. Both touched the floor early on in the game. It wasn’t to the Raptors’ detriment though, as they went toe-to-toe with the Celtics’ bench and came out on top.

It didn’t hurt to have a play like this to really get the guys going:

DAYYUM

that timeout came quick sheeeeesh pic.twitter.com/dHIaRPOOcp

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 10, 2026

The bench brought the Raps back into the game during the second quarter. They briefly held a lead around the halfway point of the second period, but proceeded to allow transition scoring and second-chance points, rapidly giving it back to the Celtics who again built a multi-possession advantage. To make matters worse, they struggled to score as well in the closing stretch of the half, turning over the ball or missing their first shot of the possession and failing to corral the rebound. Down by 8, they headed to the locker room.

In the third, the Raptors’ offence stalled a bit while Boston continued to get shooters open along the 3-point line. Jaylen Brown was able to draw fouls and add to the score with the clock stopped. Despite strong efforts from RJ and IQ, they weren’t able to get much going on either end of the court. Now, 20 points behind, the bench returned. Then it felt like a totally different game again. Shot clock violations, forced turnovers, and jump balls were the bread and butter for this team with the bench on the floor. By the time the quarter was over, they were within 11.

ALIJAH GOT THAT BOUNCE pic.twitter.com/itOoYWnbpe

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 10, 2026

Making their final push, Toronto made it within two possessions. Boston called a timeout, made some adjustments, and returned with a fury. RJ went down with an apparent ankle injury that hopefully isn’t serious, but that appeared to be the final straw for the Raptors tonight. Ja’Kobe was able to chip in a couple more 3-pointers and some strong defensive effort from Martin and CMB to close out the game were positive notes.

Interestingly, everyone who came off the bench boasted a positive plus minus while all five starters were in the negative. Although they lost the game, they won their bench minutes, which isn’t something they’ve been able to say over the last couple seasons.

Next, the Raptors return home for back-to-back games against Philly. Tune in Sunday at 6pm ET to catch the action.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-s...ors-fall-to-celtics-despite-bench-performance

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Toronto Raptors celebrate a decade of life-changing fellowship

NBA basketball obviously changes lives for those who step onto the court as players, but as the Toronto Raptors have proven for the past decade, it has the potential to change lives off the court as well. For nearly 10 years, the Raptors have run the Wayne & Theresa Embry Fellowship, a 13-month-long program designed to give fellows hands-on experience in every aspect of an NBA team. This program takes dedicated and passionate people and helps them launch their careers in sport.

The fellowship is open to Canadians who want firsthand experience in the NBA, and the Raptors commit to making sure one of the two fellows each year is part of a marginalized community. Named after Wayne and Theresa Embry, the fellowship looks for candidates who embody the Embrys’ core values of perseverance, passion, purpose, persistence, perception, performance, preparation and pride.

This year’s fellows, Abby Bruyer and Justina King, are about halfway through their experience in the fellowship. After starting in the summer, Bruyer and King have spent time rotating between the various departments within the Toronto Raptors franchise, while spending dedicated time learning and experiencing the life in roles they have chosen to focus on. For Bruyer, that’s Front Office and Salary Cap Strategy, and for King, it’s Coaching and Player Development.

“The main reason I applied was for the rotational aspect of the program,” Bruyer said in an interview with Raptors HQ. “Not only do we get to spend time in the area that we want to work in, but you get to touch every area of the organization, see how everyone works together. Wanting to work in the front office, I thought that was super valuable,” Bruyer says.

Both fellows have completed rotations with departments like Public Relations, the Raptors 905 in the G-League, and Equipment Management. When they aren’t on a rotation, Bruyer spends her time working with the team’s front office staff, while King sticks with the coaching staff.

“I spend a lot of time in the front office,” Bruyer says of her day-to-day tasks. She has projects she is working on while also completing her rotations. “I think my favourite rotation was actually public relations, since I don’t have any experience in media,” she says, as she came to the fellowship directly after completing law school. “Seeing behind the scenes is really eye-opening,” Bruyer said.

“I’m attending coaching meetings, going to practice, game planning for our next opponent, prepping for practices,” King says of her day-to-day tasks within her area of focus. Before Raptors games, you can usually spot King on the court with players and coaches, helping them warm up and run drills. Her experience as a part-time assistant coach with the Raptors 905 last year opened her eyes to the career that could be ahead of her.

“[When applying] my first thought was ‘why would they pick me?’ but then I changed my mindset to ‘why wouldn’t they pick me?‘” King says of her decision to put her name in for the fellowship a year ago. When it comes to advice for people applying this season, King says to stay true to who you are, put your best foot forward, and remember that no two people have the same experience coming into it or even leaving it.

“As long as you have a passion for basketball, you have commitment to the game, and you want to work in the NBA, just use anything you can to back that up and show what you’ve done so far,” Bruyer says as advice to applicants.

While Bruyer and King still have a lot of time to think about their next steps after the fellowship is over, they are both confident that the experience they are gaining now will only lead to exciting opportunities. Plus, they get the added excitement of feeling like they are genuinely contributing to the success of the Toronto Raptors organization during the year they are fellows.

Another milestone in Bruyer and King’s fellowship journey: they mark the first time in the program’s history that both fellows are women.

“I think that’s one thing that’s super cool about being with the Raptors, how much they take pride in that,” King says of the franchise’s commitment to help women advance their careers in the male-dominated NBA space. “Seeing us as the fellows this year is a testament to the organization’s leadership [in that aspect].”

“You’re seeing that change with more women in sports,” King continues, “and I just want to continue to lead that path for women coming up. The more we get our foot in the door, the more we can help each other. That’s the best thing we can do for each other as women [in the NBA].”

Applications for next year’s fellowship program close on January 18, 2026. Head to the fellowship’s website linked here to read about application requirements and to submit your application before the deadline. You can also head to the program’s Instagram account @raptorsfellow for more information.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-f...elebrate-a-decade-of-life-changing-fellowship

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Shorthanded Toronto Raptors pull out thrilling overtime victory

Darko Rajakovic and I have differing opinions on the idea of playing a team back-to-back. Rajakovic, as he told the media before Sunday’s Toronto Raptors game, loves the idea of it. Being able to scout the same opponent in one week gives him similar feelings to those of a playoff run. While he would prefer having a day off in between games to practice and get some film in, the idea of playing the 76ers two days in a row is thrilling to Rajakovic.

I’m not as enthused.

There are perks, of course. Kyle Lowry did a scrum with the media before the game, chatting about being in his 20th NBA season (presumably his last), retiring in Toronto, and his Auston Matthews jersey. Nick Nurse is back, and he got issued a technical foul just minutes into the first quarter. Joel Embiid was ruled out of Sunday’s game, and while we don’t wish injury upon anyone here, there also is no denying the perk of not having to watch him merchant fouls all night.

Those perks were a little outweighed by what Toronto is dealing with right now. RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram, and Jakob Poeltl were all ruled out of the game earlier in the day. Ingram was injured in the game against Charlotte last week, and Barrett was injured in the game against Boston. Poeltl is out “indefinitely,” according to Rajakovic. Barnes made his return, but missing three starters isn’t good, and just as they threw Ja’Kobe Walter into the mix as a starter, he was injured himself just minutes into the game, leaving for the night.

With three starters out, it was up to Scottie Barnes to deliver, despite his returning from his own injury tonight. Like the All-Star candidate he his, Barnes took on the offensive and defensive responsibilities, and it worked. The Raptors led by 10 points at halftime, but a deflated third quarter where they were outscored 36-18 caused the 76ers to gain their own double-digit lead heading into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter saw the score even up a little more, but other than Barnes, no one really took over for Toronto. Philly’s Tyrese Maxey flirted with a 30-piece, and while Collin Murray-Boyles and Jamal Shead stepped up for the Raptors, they still trailed heading into clutch time. Who else other than Scottie Barnes to give the team a burst of hope in the final minutes, via a slam dunk that just about shook the roof off Scotiabank Arena?

With a few massive plays, Barnes brought the Raptors one point ahead of the 76ers. Yet it was a travel call on a basket that shifted the momentum back towards Philly, and a Tyrese Maxey three-point shot almost was the nail in the coffin. That Maxey loves to be a Raptor Killer, he does it every time.

Immanuel Quickley responded with his own clutch long two-point shot, bringing Toronto within a possession of the 76ers. Darko wisely used his second challenge of the night to get Toronto the ball with 11 seconds to go in the game, down two points. Miraculously, it was those challenges and a clutch final possession that forced overtime for the Raptors. FREE HOOPS!

Overtime was frustrating to start, though, with calls not going in the Raptors’ favour and Scottie even receiving a tech of his own. With 15 seconds left in OT, the score was tied AGAIN at 115-115. Scottie was able to get a few free throws, making the first and conveniently missing the second to let the clock run out and secure the 116-115 win for the Raptors. What. A. Game.

“How hard this team is playing is giving us a chance every single night,” said Rajakovic after the game. When asked about Scottie Barnes putting up 31 points, he said, “I’m a broken record talking about Scottie. When you need a rebound, he gets you a rebound. When you need a bucket, he gets you a bucket. When you need a stop, he gets you one. God blessed me to have a player like him.”

This game was just proof that Scottie Barnes is an ALL-STAR. He put the team on his back and was the biggest reason they were able to win. It was so much so that Barnes received MVP chants from the crowd at the end of the game as the Raptors secured the win.

“Toronto is special,” Barnes said in response to those chants.

The Raptors have no time to recover, though, as they will be back at it tomorrow at 7:30 pm against the Sixers again.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-s...o-raptors-philadelphia-sixers-nba-game-barnes