RSS Raptors Team Notes

[Toronto Raptors]

Raptors lose steam against Knicks in second half

Neither head coach in tonight’s Raptors vs Knicks match-up pays much attention to the NBA standings. Darko Rajakovic made a pact with himself to avoid them until the All-Star break. Mike Brown, coach of the Knicks, also commented that he doesn’t pay much attention to his team’s place in the rankings. It’s more about focusing on each game, one at a time.

Tonight’s game, though, had many standings implications. The Raptors and Knicks are pretty close to eachother in the top-four spots in the Eastern Conference. A win from either team would have been a great advantage in that battle.

On the Raptors’ side, they came into this game on a four-game streak, having won their last four West Coast road trip games. Though they haven’t beaten the Knicks in several years, New York came into this game on the second night of a back-to-back, missing a few players.

Should be a recipe for success?? It was, until the third quarter — when everything fell apart.

disappointing to see a game that started out with so much promise (raps’ d in the 1st half was some of the best they’ve played all year) go all the way off the rails. offensive process fell apart & they had no answer for ny’s wings. og took their lunch & stuffed them in a locker

— Joe Wolfond (@joey_doubleyou) January 29, 2026

Toronto had a 10-point lead going into the second quarter and a 4-point lead at halftime. By the end of the third, the Raptors were down 12 points, and it was a 20-point game in the fourth.

The Raptors stopped taking care of the ball, leading to reckless turnovers. They were pretty cold when it came to shooting all night, but while the Knicks recovered from a cold start, the Raptors got colder. Toronto only shot 38% from the field on the night, and 27% from three-point range. It was, for lack of a better word, a gross display of basketball.

Maybe they should trade for Giannis. I mean, if this is the effort you’re going to give, why not blow it up?

What is it about the Knicks that the Raptors just can’t figure out? It’s been years of this, and it feels like this New York team just has the Raptors number every single time.

That’s the kind of game you need to just forget and move on from, and the Raptors will do that as they head back out of cold Toronto and into the Orlando heat this Friday for a quick road trip.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-scores-results/49269/raptors-toronto-new-york-knicks-game-recap

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Is Giannis to the Raptors a possibility?

No reason to beat around the bush — Shams is reporting that Giannis is done in Milwaukee. Whether he gets traded at the deadline next week or this summer, it doesn’t seem like we will head into next season with the Greek Freak in Wisconsin.

Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is ready for a new home at the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline or in the offseason as several rival teams make aggressive offers to the Milwaukee Bucks for him, and the franchise is starting to listen, league sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/OejatbQjDy

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 28, 2026

No matter which NBA market you’re in, your mind immediately goes to: “Could Giannis come HERE?”

Rumours of Giannis coming to Toronto aren’t a new phenomenon. The NBA All-Star, Champion, and MVP has been attached to Toronto several times throughout his career, especially back when Masai Ujiri ran the team. Now that it’s clear he wants out of his current situation, Toronto fans will obviously foam at the mouth at the idea of a star like him coming to Toronto.

Is it even possible, though? Is it even a good idea?

To answer the first note, anything is possible, technically. The Bucks will want to absolutely clean house in exchange for their franchise superstar, so the price will be high. Yet, he also wants out, so they can’t be precious about it, either.

Now, is bringing Giannis to the Raptors right now a good idea? That’s more complicated.

To get Giannis, the Raptors would basically have to gut their current core. Milwaukee would obviously go for Scottie Barnes first — he’s one of the closest player-for-player replacements for Giannis in the entire league, and younger. Do the Raptors just hand away their home-drafted, All-Star-bound, 24-year old superstar for the 31-year old version of him? Do they give up on the kid they’ve invested the past 5 years into? The one they built this entire franchise around?

Now, some reports say both Barnes and Ingram are “untouchable” in Giannis talks. Which does make sense — why bring a star in with no core around him? Yet, also take these reports with a grain of salt, as always.

The Raptors have made Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes untouchable in Giannis trade talks, per @GrantAfseth pic.twitter.com/cF0ypGJass

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 28, 2026

If they aren’t willing to give up Scottie or Ingram, the Raptors would have to send some sort of combination of Jakob Poeltl, RJ Barrett, Collin Murray-Boyles, maybe more players, and so so so many draft picks. Even with Scottie or Ingram in the mix, the deal would probably include other assets. Not just to make the money work but to satisfy the Bucks.

The situation changes a bit if Giannis himself says, “I want to come to Toronto.” That isn’t impossible, either. He seems to want to stay in the Eastern conference and be in a place where it would be easier to get to his wife and kids in Greece with ease. That’s basically New York or Toronto. If Giannis expresses a desire to come to Toronto, the price for him could drop a little in a trade, since that destination has the leverage.

Okay, so say it’s possible, and the price is right — does Giannis work in Toronto? I mean, a star of his calibre works anywhere. The question is how it works. Do you keep Scottie and deploy a freakishly large lineup? Do you let Scottie go in the trade and replace his impact with Giannis?

While it would be cool to have a star like Giannis, it would also mean taking apart this team that has so much chemistry. There are pros and cons for sure. Personally, I think it would be cool, but also won’t be gutted if it doesn’t happen. As a Toronto sports fan, I’m very over getting my hopes up at huge free agents choosing to come or stay here. Kawhi, Shohei, Bo, the list goes on. I’m not getting my hopes up for Giannis.

Personally, I think he goes to Miami. Miami is still east enough to be able to access Europe pretty easily, plus pairing him with Bam Adebayo and then cleaning house on basically everyone else seems like a logical solution. You still go to a team with a great, experienced coach in Spo, and the Heat are desperate for a refresh. With Scottie and Ingram apparently not available, it seems far-fetched to think Giannis coming to Toronto is possible. Miami makes sense, to me anyway.

Either way, the NBA’s next mega star is on the move.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-rumors/49256/giannis-trade-toronto-raptors-bucks-barnes-ingram

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Raptors kick off home stand against the Jazz

Mar 14, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Toronto Raptors guard RJ Barrett (9) passes the ball away from Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) during the second quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images | Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

Tonight, Toronto Raptors will face off against the Utah Jazz, starting a 5-game home stand that will carry them to the All-Star break. This is their first of two matchups against the Jazz this season, the other slated to occur in late March.

Toronto was able to prevail in both games against the Jazz last year, earning the series sweep. This could be a good reset for the Raptors who have just dropped consecutive games against Orlando and New York. Of course, it will be important for Toronto to enter the game with the right mindset, as several “easy win” contests against the Wizards, Nets, and Hornets haven’t gone in their favour despite overwhelming odds.

So how do the Raptors walk away with this one?

Utah just finished a home stand where they dropped five consecutive games. Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George have headlined for the Jazz this season, carrying one of the weakest teams in the league to a surprising 15-34 record. Losing Walker Kessler to a shoulder surgery early on for the remainder of the season was the biggest blow, but they’re in the midst of a rebuild and the health of their vets varies by day, meaning they’re relying on young talents who are likely outperforming expectations.

Take Brice Sensabaugh for instance. Drafted in 2023, he’s averaged mediocre numbers for most of his career, but is starting to come to life for the Jazz in January. He posted almost 18-4-2 for them last month while playing 27 minutes per game. He had seven 20+ point games, one of which he ended with 43 points against the Bulls.

Of course, stats don’t necessarily give you the full picture. Interestingly enough, on paper, the Jazz have more assists and rebounds per game than the Raptors do, but despite strong individual performances and solid numbers, they haven’t been able to turn that into substantial wins.

Which leads us to what the Raptors will need to do to take advantage. Over the Jazz’s losing stretch, their turnovers were one of their biggest weaknesses. Coughing the ball up 19 times in one contest while averaging almost 16 a game almost guarantees a losing outcome. The Raptors have proven all season that this is where they shine, creating turnovers, getting out in transition, and scoring. This will be one of the keys to this game, as there will likely be more opportunities than usual to do so.

They will also have to prioritize shutting down Utah’s tandem of Markkanen and George and force the others to score. This leaves guys like Svi Mykhailiuk, rookie Ace Bailey, or sophomore Kyle Filipowski responsible for the majority of scoring which isn’t any of their strong suit.

Their injury report is extensive, with Nurkic listed as questionable. This could give Toronto a size advantage, something that they haven’t had much of this year. The combination of Barnes, Ingram, and CMB on Markkanen and Filipowski should be enough to limit him on the boards, but a group effort will be necessary to prevent easy second chance points for the Jazz.

Ingram looked more true to form in his last two outings, so hopefully he can be a factor in the win tonight as well. It would be nice for Toronto to go into the All-Star break with some momentum, and this home stand is the perfect opportunity.

Probable Starters​

Toronto: Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles, Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett

Utah: Lauri Markkanen, Ace Bailey, Kyle Filipowski, Svi Mykhailiuk, Keyonte George

Injury Report​

Toronto: Chucky Hepburn (Out: G-League), Jakob Poeltl (Out: Lower back strain)

Utah: Keyonte George (Questionable: Left ankle sprain), Elijah Harkless (Out: G-League), Walker Kessler (Out: Shoulder surgery), Kevin Love (Questionable: Illness), Georges Niang (Out: Left foot soreness), Jusuf Nurkic (Questionable: Illness), John Tonje (Out: G-League), Oscar Tshiebwe (Out: G-League)

Where to Watch​

Sportsnet @ 6:00pm

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/general/49290/raptors-kick-off-home-stand-against-the-jazz

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Should Brandon Ingram have been an NBA All-Star?

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JANUARY 30: Brandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors reacts against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter at Kia Center on January 30, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images

B.I.3. fans, you have my condolences.

For days, the Toronto faithful have been waiting with bated breath to see whether their franchise stars would be selected to play in this year’s All-Star game, and while Scottie Barnes was selected as an All-Star for the second time in his career, Brandon Ingram has thus far been left off the roster.

While Ingram may yet make his way onto the team as an injury reserve, it is clear that the NBA’s coaches did not feel that the former Most Improved Player merited selection as part of the All-Star Team. Despite finishing ahead of Scottie Barnes in the fan vote, Ingram would ultimately be passed over in favour of several other players. Why was this, and was this reasonable? Here are some thoughts.

The Stats Question​

Ingram leads the Raptors in points per game with 21.9, and adding Ingram to Toronto turned the team from fringe play-in contenders to a top-5 team in the Eastern Conference.

Ingram outscores three other All-Star reserves, those being Karl-Anthony Towns, Scottie Barnes, and Jalen Duren. However, both Towns and Duren are prolific rebounders, averaging double-doubles, while Towns leads the league in this category. Averaging 5.9 boards per game, Ingram is no slouch in this department, but falls short even when compared to Pascal Siakam’s 6.9, another reserve who beat out Ingram for a spot on the squad.

Norman Powell, the former Raptor on the Miami Heat, is indeed averaging far fewer rebounds, and less assists then Ingram, while being named an All-Star. However, he is more efficient from three and from the line, while averaging more point per game. From a purely statistical standpoint, Ingram is not head and shoulders above any player named an All-Star Reserve. This then leads to the next question, of the value of success.

Brandon Ingram: Winner?​

The Raptors are currently fourth in the East, four games behind the third-seeded Boston Celtics and second-seeded Knicks, and have a record tied with the Cleveland Cavaliers. As aforementioned, Ingram has emerged as the Raptors’ co-leader alongside Scottie Barnes during this campaign, so some additional weight comes attached with his resume when it comes up for review by the league’s coaches.

The Raptors are a higher seed than the Cavaliers, Hawks, Heat, and Pacers, all of which have had representatives selected for the ASG. While the Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell’s place as an All-Star should be unquestioned due to his scoring proficiency and Cleveland’s relative success under his leadership, the place of Jalen Johnson, Pascal Siakam, and Norm Powell (again, sorry buddy) comes under scrutiny.

In regard to Johnson, the Hawks have underperformed this season, with Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis missing long stretches of games, allowing him to step into the role of franchise player. It is far from Johnson’s fault that the Hawks are underperforming, nor was he given the reins of the franchise until late in the season when Trae Young was traded. Johnson has demonstrated stat-stuffing abilities, averaging a near triple-double in his breakout season. Sounds like an All-Star to me.

There is a similar story regarding Siakam: without Tyrese Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers have been hamstrung, playing terribly, while Siakam captains the Hoosier State’s sinking ship. Siakam’s solid stats have not translated to any success for the Pacers, who boast the third-worst record in the league and the worst record in the conference. The Miami Heat are struggling as well, 3 games above .500, with Norm Powell taking on major scoring responsibilities with Tyler Herro out for much of the season.

There comes an element of narrative here. Siakam and Powell both look like they’re bailing out otherwise awful teams, something that may be influencing coach decisions. Instead, Ingram is the clear-cut second-best player on a good team, and while he is a capable rebounder in the usual capacity of a forward, the man is a pure scorer. However, he is not a premier scorer, well below 25 points per game. This is not to disparage Ingram’s contributions to the Raptors, but merely to highlight the fact that Ingram’s best talent is not something performed at an elite level. These ideas coupled together suggest a resolution to the question of whether Brandon Ingram should have been named an All-Star. The answer:

Maybe? Maybe not.

With a league chock-full of talent, Ingram doesn’t do anything spectacularly and merely out-succeeds his closest competitors for reserve slots, meaning that his All-Star candidacy doesn’t quite stand out. While Raptors’ fans would have loved to see their dynamic duo take the hardwood in the All-Star game together, it is more than understandable why Ingram was left off the initial roster. But, with the injury reserve slot wide open, who’s to say that the Slenderman won’t find his way next to Scottie Barnes that way?

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/general/4...star-raptors-scottie-barnes-hawks-heat-pacers

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Raptors’ inconsistencies lead to questions ahead of trade deadline

TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 1: RJ Barrett #9 of the Toronto Raptors drives against Walter Clayton Jr. #13 of the Utah Jazz during first half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 1, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images

About a week ago, we talked about how the Toronto Raptors’ West Coast road trip — mainly the success of it — had the potential to change trade deadline plans for the front office. Since returning home from that West Coast swing, the Raptors have lacked punch. After the excellent play out West had the potential to change plans, does this recent poor stretch of basketball continue to change plans ahead of Thursday’s deadline?

Last Friday, the Raptors faltered in the fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic, completely losing the momentum they had built in the previous three quarters. Against the Utah Jazz, the Raptors again lacked offensive energy, not at all playing to the level they should have been.

Even with the hype of Scottie Barnes finding out he’s an All-Star mid-game, the Raptors looked discombobulated as they tried to overcome an injured and tanking Jazz team. While they recovered in the 4th quarter, it was more of a skirt by a much worse Jazz team instead of the emphatic win that may have been expected.

“This is amazing, no one around the league had doubt that he deserved this,” Darko Rajakovic said after the game about Barnes’s All-Star nomination. “This is not the best Scottie Barnes you will ever see. I know how hungry he is.”

“I know that coaches around the league have a lot of appreciation for the way Scottie plays.” Darko continued. “I think everyone else is lacking appreciation for the way he plays.”

“I haven’t had time to think about it, but I’m excited for it,” Barnes said himself. The announcement from the league happened right as the Raptors game started tonight, and he found out midgame.

Raptors not taking this game seriously and they're rightfully getting burned for all these mistakes. so many passes directly to the jazz for breakaway dunks.

— William Lou (@william_lou) February 1, 2026

Despite the weirdness of the game itself, the Raptors still came out with the win. In a 107-100 victory for the Raptors, RJ Barrett led all scorers with 21 points, Mamukelashvili had 20 off the bench, and Ingram had 19 points of his own. A win is a win.

Still, you can’t help but think about what the Raptors could be cooking up ahead of the trade deadline when things are still looking weird offensively. With only days to go until Thursday’s deadline, there is still a lot of time for multiple deals to happen, but also for things to change. Everything is fluid until 3 p.m. on Thursday hits.

Among the glaring needs for Toronto as we approach the deadline are depth in the frontcourt as well as shooting ability. With Jakob Poeltl’s ongoing injury problems, the Raptors are lacking power and height under the rim. Yet, Poeltl’s injury may be what hinders the Raptors this trade deadline most, as his lofty contract would be hard to move regardless, not to mention the fact that he’s injured.

RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley are other names floating around as well, two of the Raptors other big ticket contracts. Including them in any deals the Raptors do gives the team more flexibility when it comes to money.

Still, as we know, this franchise doesn’t like to do much moving at the deadline. The more likely scenario ahead of Thursday is for Toronto to just do a few smaller transactions and call it a day until free agency later in the year.

The Raptors will now have a few days to practice and rest before they are back in action Wednesday and Thursday at home. We’ll see if anything big happens before their next game.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-r...l-star-trade-deadline-poeltl-barrett-quickley

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Scottie Barnes selected for All-Star Game

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 30: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during the game against the Orlando Magic on January 30, 2026 at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

For the second time in his five-year career, Scottie Barnes has been selected to the NBA All-Star Game. In 2024, Barnes was selected as an injury replacement player for the Eastern Conference team, and this season will represent the Raptors as a reserve player.

After fan votes select the starter players, the coaches vote in the All-Star reserves. If any injury replacements are needed, they will be selected by Adam Silver.

Barnes is averaging 19.4 points per game this season, along with 8.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists. He is ranked 10th league-wide in blocks per game (1.5).

Scottie Barnes is an All-Star for the 2nd time before turning 25. 1 of 2 players averaging 19-8-5-1-1 and he’s doing it while shooting 50% and leading the NBA in stocks for the East's 4th seed. The numbers & eye test tell the same story. Up next: All-D and, at this rate, All-NBA.

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) February 1, 2026

While there was speculation that Brandon Ingram had a path to be selected as an All-Star as well, he was left off the current roster, meaning his path now is to be selected as an injury replacement. With Giannis out, he could be one of the next men called up for that spot.

Former Raptors Pascal Siakam and Norman Powell were also selected to join Barnes as reserves in the All-Star Game. Kitchener, ON’s Jamal Murray also got his first-ever All-Star nomination for the Western Conference reserves.

PUT RESPECT ON HIS NAME
SCOTTIE ALL-STAR pic.twitter.com/2Sgn1tERRW

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 1, 2026

It will likely be a few days before any injury replacements are named for the All-Star Game, which is on Feb. 13-15 in Los Angeles, California.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-news/49295/scottie-barnes-all-star-game-nba-toronto-raptors

 

[Zedster]

Congrats to Scottie on the All-Star nod. Well deserved, even if the timing of finding out mid-game was a bit awkward. Hard not to be happy for the guy.

The Giannis speculation is interesting but I'm with the author here - I don't see it happening with Toronto. If Barnes and Ingram are truly untouchable, what's left to offer that Milwaukee would actually want? A package built around Poeltl (injured), Barrett, and picks doesn't really move the needle for a franchise player. Miami makes more sense given their situation and what they can put together.

As for the Jazz game... yeah, that was rough to watch even with the win. We really shouldn't be struggling that much against a team missing Kessler and dealing with that many injuries. The turnovers and sloppy passing were frustrating. Mamukelashvili stepping up off the bench was nice though.

The inconsistency is the real story heading into the deadline. One week we look like legit contenders out West, the next we're barely scraping by against rebuilding teams. Makes it tough to know what moves, if any, make sense right now. Poeltl's injury complicates things too since his contract would be useful for matching salaries in any bigger deal.

Hoping the home stand helps them find some rhythm before the break. Would be nice to see Ingram get that injury replacement call for the ASG too - he's been solid even if the numbers don't jump off the page.

 

[Toronto Raptors]

What should the Raptors do at the trade deadline?

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 15: Jakob Poeltl #19 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on December 15, 2025 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Very quickly, it seems like a few trade possibilities for the Toronto Raptors have emerged. While I am still skeptical of the legitimacy of these deals and talks, they seem to have some kindling to them. Whether or not they end up turning into full-fledged fire by Thursday’s NBA deadline is yet to be seen.

Here are the reports:

First, it seems like there is real interest between the Sacramento Kings and Raptors to make a deal involving Domantas Sabonis and RJ Barrett. It would also likely include Ochai Agbaji, as well. Yet, it seems like Jakob Poeltl’s salary and current injury situation may be hindering this possibility.

That leads to possibility number two: apparently, the Memphis Grizzlies are now interested in Poeltl. After trading Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies could be open to taking on Poeltl’s contract.

All of a sudden, the Grizzlies have emerged as a potential suitor for Raptors center Jakob Poeltl as Toronto continues to pursue Kings star Domanats Sabonis, league sources told @ClutchPoints.

Memphis just created a TPE from this Jackson trade they can use for Poeltl.

— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) February 3, 2026

Now, I want to hear from you. What do you think of these options? Do you think the Raptors should go through with these deals, moving on from RJ Barrett and Poeltl and taking on Sabonis? Is there anything else the Raptors should be doing before Thursday’s trade deadline? Should they do NOTHING?

Tell me in the comments below!

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-r...adline-sabonis-barrett-poeltl-kings-grizzlies

 

[Toronto Raptors]

The Toronto Raptors don’t need to rush the process

TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 4: Brandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors drives against Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 4, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It’s one of the worst weeks in the NBA calendar… and right as the NBA Trade Deadline is about to expire, the Toronto Raptors have back-to-back games. Lovely.

The Raptors started (and probably ended) their trade action Wednesday afternoon with a small deal to move Ochai Agbaji to Brooklyn in a three-team deal that also brought Chris Paul to Toronto. Chris Paul won’t report, and the move was to offload Agbaji’s salary and bring the team under the tax. A bookkeeping thing. Toronto will either move Paul before tomorrow’s deadline or buy him out after.

This also now means it’s likely the Raptors won’t make another big move. I could be wrong, of course, but it doesn’t seem likely that a trade involving RJ Barrett or Jakob Poeltl will happen.

Now, I try not to let internet comments get to me, but some of the stuff people were tweeting in reaction to the Raptors’ moves (or lack of)… we need to talk about. Why are you all so pressed? Chill, fam.

The Raptors were a lottery team literally less than a year ago. While they’ve definitely outperformed expectations this season, they aren’t about to go on a championship run — they were never expected to. Trust the process a bit more. I saw someone say the Raptors are going to be “the saddest 1s round exit” this season… okay? It’s their first playoff appearance in years. What do you expect? Anything more would be a great time, but it’s year one of building up again… they aren’t about to win a ring.

This is all why playing a back-to-back right when the trade deadline is happening is a little weird. It’s a little overstimulating, it’s oddly emotional.

It’s also why people are going to overreact to this Raptors loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves… a lot. After leading by a wide margin, the Timberwolves got a few stops and closed the gap. They got some good shots in, and won 128-126.

Some of the over reaction to tonight is warranted, of course. The Raptors dropped a 15-point lead in the third and fourth quarters to lose a game they should have won. They lack depth in the center position. Their shooting can be hot and cold.

Games like this are just part of the process, though. It’s almost a stark reminder how early on this team is when it comes to building. Is it tough to see them lose a game like that? Yeah, they could have and should have won. Are we going to catastrophize about it though? People will, and it’s a waste of energy.

Back-to-backs have the positive though, of forcing us to forget about things quickly. There is no time to sit here and lament about the loss, what they could have done different, etc. The team itself doesn’t even have time to do that, they won’t even be able to really look at film before tomorrow’s game. All you can do is forget it and move on.

There also isn’t much chance this loss affects what will happen at Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. Can’t wait to forget about that and move on, too. The Raptors are back tomorrow night, against the Chicago Bulls. By the time they tip off, the deadline will have passed, this team will be (mostly) locked in for the season, and we can stop prophesizing and catastrophizing. Maybe. Maybe not.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-s...-timberwolves-game-final-score-trade-deadline

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Are the Toronto Raptors taking the safe route?

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 29: Chris Paul #3 of the Los Angeles Clippers jogs off court during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Intuit Dome on November 29, 2025 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Shams Charania reports that the Toronto Raptors have sent off Ochai Agbaji and a second-round pick in a three-team deal to bring Chris Paul over from the Clippers, who had been languishing after being sent away from team activities by the Los Angeles franchise. Agbaji will head to the Brooklyn Nets.

The Raptors will not make CP3 report to the team, likely moving him before tomorrow’s NBA trade deadline OR buying him out after. Potential suitors could include his former franchises, the Thunder and Pelicans, seeking to capitalize on their one-time great’s last year…

Unless we’re getting a cool young player back and Paul is content to stay, I’d be happy to have another veteran presence on the young squad if he can mesh well with the team culture. And hey – maybe he and Garrett Temple can reminisce about the old days…

What do we want to do with Paul now that we’ve got him? Do you guys like the idea of having his veteran presence on the squad, or is it better to try and shop the star for a bigger return? Who would you want the Raptors to seek out in return for him?

PLUS, it seems like this move is officially the nail in the coffin regarding Domantas Sabonis talks. Agbaji would have been necessary salary matching in a deal like that. Do you agree that now is NOT the time to take a swing on Sabonis?

Give us your thoughts down below in the comments!

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-r...rade-rumor-chris-paul-agbaji-sabonis-deadline

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Bobby Webster breaks down Raptors’ trade deadline

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 22: Bobby Webster General Manager of the Toronto Raptors looks on before his team plays the New York Knicks at the Scotiabank Arena on January 22, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Thursday’s NBA trade deadline came and went without too much noise from the Toronto Raptors, for better or worse. The team only made two small transactions, mostly working to duck the luxury tax and avoiding the big trades they had been attached to in recent weeks.

While the deal to send Ochai Agbaji to the Nets and bring Chris Paul to the Raptors (he won’t report, Bobby says he will be waived when the time is right) was finalized earlier, the second deal to bring in Trayce Jackson-Davis was cemented Thursday evening. While the Raptors played the second night of a back-to-back, welcoming the Chicago Bulls to town, Bobby Webster was busy behind the scenes on calls to finalize TJD’s trade.

After a rough loss on Wednesday to the Minnesota Timberwolves, ending a decades-long Toronto-based winning streak against the TWolves, Thursday was a little bit of a must-win. For pride, mostly. Yet, there was a little bit of anticipation hanging in the air, as fans waited for the Raptors’ trades to become official, more so because that meant GM Bobby Webster could finally speak to the media. The trade went official during the fourth quarter.

The Raptors ended up winning over the Bulls, improving to 31-22 on the season, 123-107.

In their search for a depth big (TJD, as it turned out), Raptors were insistent on not giving up a 1st-rounder (smart), not taking minutes away from CMB (smart) & not adding long-term $/making it more difficult to re-sign Mamu (smart).

CMB/Mamu tonight: 32 pts, 12-16 FG, 4-6 3P

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) February 6, 2026

After the game, Darko Rajakovic and Bobby Webster answered questions about the trade deadline, their new players, and everything that has been going on behind the scenes over the past few weeks. While Rajakovic hadn’t had time to go too deep into research on his newest player, Jackson-Davis, he did say that he liked the fact that they have the same birthday. He also mentioned earlier in the night that Jakob Poeltl was “progressing well” and the hope is to have him back soon.

Obviously, there were more questions for Webster after weeks of trade rumours and speculation. He mentioned they “had a lot of fun” leading up to the deadline, alluding to the fact that there were many, many various scenarios involving them out there. Webster has been candid about being a guy who loves to make an inquisitive call, and those calls were likely the source of a lot of the rumours circulating out there. Here are some highlights from what Bobby had to say:

• He mentioned that he thinks fans need to have a little bit of patience regarding this current team, especially given the expectations for the year. The front office is keen on seeing how they perform in the postseason together before making any huge decisions about the future. That’s why they weren’t too quick to make any huge trades right now.
• Said that the prices out there for other bigs (ie 7-footers) were too high for them at the moment. There are speculations that many of these teams wanted 1st-round picks for their backup big men, something Webster did not want to part with.
• Said that they will waive Chris Paul when the time is right, and as Blake Murphy of Sportsnet tweeted this evening, it may be in a few weeks to help with some other paperwork. Webster mentioned his respect for the veteran and wanted to make sure they were being as professional as possible in the process.
• When asked about the rumours surrounding RJ Barrett, said that they were basically just rumours. Re-emphasized wanting to see this core healthy and in the playoffs before making a big change. Also said guys like Barrett and even Poeltl know not to believe anything until it comes from them.

Re Chris Paul, Raptors will eventually waive/buyout, but not a rush.

Having a full 15-man roster allows the Raptors greater use of their 2-way players, and since deadline to add a new 2-way isn’t until March 4, you can keep Paul, get extra time for those guys, THEN convert one.

— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) February 6, 2026

Overall, Bobby made ME feel super smart. Everything I wrote last night after the Minnesota game was essentially Webster’s messaging tonight. Emphasis on not rushing the process, needing to see this core have a full season of playing together, being patient. That’s literally what I was saying.

So, we end another trade deadline season (thankfully). A particularly quiet one from Toronto, but quantity is not always better. Time to lock in, get healthier, and see what the rest of this season holds. Toronto was literally a tanking lottery team one year ago, and now it’s time to make a playoff push. Pretty impressive, in my opinion. Which we can now assume is also Bobby’s opinion.

The Raptors have a few days off now before they host the Indiana Pacers on Super Bowl Sunday, and then the Detroit Pistons next Wednesday before having eight days off for the All-Star Break. Hopefully, in this stretch, Jakob Poeltl can get back to full strength, RJ Barrett’s knee can rest up, and the rest of the team can continue to build.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-rumors/49352/toronto-raptors-trade-deadline-bobby-webster-deals

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Here’s the new-look Raptors roster after the 2026 NBA trade deadline

TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 1: Toronto Raptors general manager Bobby Webster and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment president Keith Pelley talk ahead of the NBA game between the Toronto Raptors and the Utah Jazz at Scotiabank Arena on February 1, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Toronto Raptors had a fairly quiet NBA Trade Deadline, making a few small moves. The main thing that was accomplished was ducking under the tax, salary-wise.

The first move was to send Ochai Agbaji to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team deal that brought Chris Paul to the Raptors from the Clippers, with Toronto also giving up a 2032 second-round pick. Chris Paul will not report to Toronto and is expected to be bought out in the coming days so he can hit the free agency market.

The Raptors completed a second deal late Wednesday, sending a 2026 second-round pick to the Golden State Warriors for 6’9 center Trayce Jackson-Davis.

With those moves, the Raptors will stay under the tax, and then will have a freed-up roster spot once Chris Paul’s situation is dealt with.

Here’s a summary of where things stand for the team after the NBA trade deadline:

The players the Raptors acquired:​

• Chris Paul
• Trayce Jackson-Davis

The picks and players the Raptors sent out:​

• Ochai Agbaji
• 2032 Second Round Pick
• 2026 Second Round Pick

The new, full Raptors roster​

1. Scottie Barnes
2. Brandon Ingram
3. RJ Barrett
4. Immanuel Quickley
5. Jakob Poeltl
6. Sandro Mamukelashvili
7. Gradey Dick
8. Jamal Shead
9. Ja’Kobe Walter
10. Jonathan Mogbo
11. Colin Murray-Boyles
12. AJ Lawson
13. Alijah Martin
14. Jamison Battle
15. Chucky Hepburn
16. Garrett Temple
17. Chris Paul

Raptors draft picks remaining​

• 2026 Round One

It was a quiet trade deadline for Toronto, which will now opt to do most of its team-building and work in the summer. It’s a little predictable, knowing that this is still the first year of seeing this roster play together, and we haven’t really even experimented in the playoffs with this core.

Let us know in the comments what you think about the Raptors’ trade deadline moves. Did they do too little? How does this affect the rest of the season for them?

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-r...a-trade-deadline-trades-draft-picks-contracts

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Raptors and Pacers have similar red flags ahead of Super Bowl matchup

TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 26: Brandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles against the Indiana Pacers during the second half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on November 26, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The last time the Seattle Seahawks came within a yard of defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 49, the Toronto Raptors were riding a six-game winning streak. Months later, the Raptors were swept in the playoffs by the Washington Wizards, signalling the first red flags of the ‘We The North’ movement.

Over a decade later, the Raptors are ushering in a new era, and things are equally hopeful and uncertain.

Next up is their penultimate game before the unofficial halfway point of the season, which involves a matchup against the Indiana Pacers on a super Sunday afternoon. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. EST on Sportsnet.

While the Pacers sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, the Raptors are in the midst of protecting their tenuous hold on a playoff spot.

The Philadelphia 76ers and the four teams currently in the play-in all have a legitimate chance at catching the Raptors during the second half of the season. Not including the Cleveland Cavaliers, who recently leapfrogged into fourth place, the Raptors are 1-9 against the top four teams in the East and West.

The Raptors must figure out their issues with contenders, but it’s also equally important to dispatch the teams they should beat.

Here are three additional storylines to consider.

Poeltl is key to the Raptors ‘run-game’​

The Toronto Raptors are nearing full-strength and a glimpse into the team’s future may be possible ahead of All-Star Weekend.

The most significant update is Jakob Poeltl being listed as questionable on the injury report. While it’s likely he won’t suit up until after the break, the mere thought of Poeltl’s return offers reprieve from the team’s struggles against opposing centres.

It seems like the plan is to eventually roll out the Austrian for as many games as possible to close out the season. A load management approach will likely be used, meaning Toronto must continue to rely on Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles and Sandro Mamukelashvili to moonlight as centres when needed.

To help with the physical toll that takes on the their bodies, General Manager Bobby Webster also acquired Trayce Jackson-Davis from the Warriors at the trade deadline. After an encouraging rookie season during which Jackson-Davis averaged 7.9 points and 5.0 rebounds in 16.6 minutes, the six-foot-nine tweener ultimately fell out of Golden State’s rotation.

Jackson-Davis will have every opportunity to rediscover his confidence on a Raptors team desperate for any kind of interior presence.

The classic ‘redshirt’ season​

The Pacers arguably paid a steep price to acquire Ivica Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers at the deadline, but the move suggests the front office is ready to fight for their spot in the Eastern Conference once Tyrese Haliburton returns.

Indiana dealt Canadian Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks and a second-rounder in exchange for Zubac and Kobe Brown. Zubac will wear a new jersey for the first time in over seven years, but his debut may have to wait due to a lingering ankle injury. The seven-footer also recently welcomed a newborn into the world.

Since Myles Turner’s departure, the Pacers have worked tirelessly to find a replacement at the five spot. Zubac should confidently outperform the mixed results produced by the tandem of Jackson and Jay Huff. For the second consecutive season, Zubac is averaging a double-double with 14.4 points and 11.0 rebounds.

Increased routes and targets for Walter​

With Ochai Agbaji now a member of the Brooklyn Nets, that’s one less component of the bench carousel of wings the Raptors have deployed this season. There’s a fun combination of reduced pressure and increased expectations that now fall on Ja’Kobe Walter. Drafted with the 19th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Walter has a straightforward opportunity in front of him.

Walter finished with 12 points, five rebounds and two steals in 30 minutes against the Chicago Bulls on Feb. 5. The Raptors are 3-1 when Walter plays at least 30 minutes this year. The six-foot-four guard flashes a scoring punch and defensive intensity Toronto desperately needs from the wing position. If RJ Barrett is moved in the off-season, Walter’s play during the remainder of the season will factor into that decision.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-g...similar-red-flags-ahead-of-super-bowl-matchup

 

[Toronto Raptors]

‘Scottie Barnes will be an MVP’ Raptors coach says after win

TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 8: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors reacts on the floor during the first half of their NBA game against the Indiana Pacers at Scotiabank Arena on February 8, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Super Bowl Sunday in Toronto means an early Raptors game, and showing up at the arena for 1pm media almost feels like being here before the sun is up. It was a quiet one at Scotiabank Arena today, with a lot of the usual suspects around instead taking the day off to watch some guys play football before and after a Bad Bunny concert.

Pascal Siakam and the Indiana Pacers were in town, and it immediately seemed like coach Rick Carlisle also had another sport on his mind… but it wasn’t football. He came into the Raptors’ media room and immediately launched into some thoughts about Olympic curling, saying he was watching this morning and couldn’t help but “live or die for the Canadian Curling team.” Unfortunately, Canada’s mixed pairs curlers were eliminated later in the afternoon. Sorry, Rick.

As for the actual basketball, Coach Rajakovic says that while Jakob Poeltl was still being held out of today’s game, he was progressing well. After missing over 20 games with a sore back, the team is working to recondition him for a return to the lineup. Unfortunately, Collin Murray-Boyles also ended up leaving the game early due to a lingering thumb injury. The Raptors prepared for this, though! This is why they went out and traded for Trayce Jackson-Davis! He was able to make his Raptors debut in light of CMB leaving the game.

He did well, too, scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds in 15 minutes. After the game, Darko Rajakovic said that while it was the plan all along to give him some minutes today, losing CMB gave them a little bit more freedom to do so. There was no pressure from the coach on his newest player, as TJD himself said that Darko texted him after yesterday’s practice and told him to just “play free.” As for CMB, he was hit on the hand, reaggravating an existing injury, and is considered day to day.

After a slower start and a close halftime score, the Raptors found themselves again in the third quarter. Of course, the scars from Wednesday night’s crumble were fresh, and no one was about to prematurely call this a dub before it was official. They seemed to have learned their lessons from last week, though, and were able to keep their 20-point lead throughout the rest of the game. In the end, Toronto took it 122-104 over Indiana.

It was a fantastic game for Scottie Barnes, who scored 25 points on 12-20 shooting from the field, adding 12 rebounds and 6 assists. RJ Barrett scored 20 of his own, and Mamukelashvili scored 17 points off the bench.

Rajakovic had the same words of praise for his All-Star player that he usually does, emphatically saying that “Scottie Barnes is the Defensive Player of the Year” and will one day win the NBA’s MVP award.

“That’s Darko for you,” Scottie said of his reaction to Darko continuing to sing his praises this season (and always). He went on to talk about how much he appreciates Darko as a coach, saying that having a coach that you can consider a friend, someone you can get deep with in conversations, someone who rides for you — it makes a huge difference.

“Scottie is defensive player of the year. He’s an All-Star. He’s gonna be a Finals MVP. He’s going to be an MVP one day. Write down the date I said that” – Darko

— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) February 8, 2026

Darko has been saying stuff like this for years, of course. He has always had faith in his star, knowinf his potential and talking him up to the max. Now that Scottie is starting to reach that potential, Darko’s faith in his super star is only getting stronger.

Overall, it was a good win, and one that was expected of this team. The Pacers are 13-40 on the season and headed for the lottery — similar to the Raptors from one year ago. Having back to back wins going into their first meeting with the No. 1 seeded Detroit Pistons on Wednesday (the last game before the All-Star break) will hopefully give them a boost as they take on a tough opponent.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-s...aptors-indiana-pacers-scottie-barnes-all-star

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Brandon Ingram IS an All-Star

TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 5: Brandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors walks to the dressing room after their NBA game against the Chicago Bulls at Scotiabank Arena on February 5, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I’ve never been quite so happy to eat my words.

Brandon Ingram, the Toronto Raptors’ leading scorer this season, has been named an injury replacement in the 2026 All-Star Game. With Stephen Curry out for Team USA, Ingram has been called up to take his spot, and will be playing for the “Stripes” squad , adding some valuable length to the notably centre-absent roster.

The newly minted two-time All-Star has season averages of 22 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game, and 3.7 assists per game in this bounce-back year from him, after playing only 18 games in the 2024-25 campaign. The Raptors are currently 5th in the Eastern Conference, seemingly destined for the playoffs, sitting 3 games above the 6th seeded Philadelphia 76ers. The Raptors have already surpassed the 30-win mark they achieved last season, when they finished well outside of the postseason, in large part thanks to Ingram’s efforts.

His prowess has elevated the Raptors’ offence, bringing tough shotmaking and consistent scoring to the fold, while allowing his fellow All-Star teammate Scottie Barnes to focus on defence and playmaking. This split of responsibilities has raised Toronto to heights that have not been reached since the early 2020s, and has begun the ushering in of a new identity to replace the last remnants of the championship squad.

Sharing the floor with other scorers like RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley has resulted in a slight dip in production for the Notorious B.I.3, but he still stands head and shoulders above the rest of the Raptors squad. Sharing those responsibilities has come hand-in-hand with fantastic team chemistry. William Lou of the Hello and Welcome Podcast posted footage of the team’s joyous celebration upon learning of Ingram’s award.

here's the footage and its very sweet. darko is a mad man lmao. https://t.co/pYYygju1Bi pic.twitter.com/28n4CwhOSP

— William Lou (@william_lou) February 10, 2026

Ingram’s last All-Star season was in 2020, where he made the roster, as well as being named Most Improved Player in his first year with the New Orleans Pelicans. Ingram was 22 that season, and six years later, approaching 30, he is having a renaissance outside of the Big Easy. What Ingram has done to dig the Raptors out of a seemingly hopeless pit following the Raptors’ collapse in 2024 has already made him a part of Toronto history, but he has truly cemented himself as a team legend by being just the 10th Raptor named to an All-Star Roster.

The tandem of Ingram and Barnes look poised to lead the Raptors for years to come, and the duo ending up as All-Stars this season is a solid foundation for those ambitions.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/nba-all-s...n-ingram-raptors-all-star-game-scottie-barnes

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Raptors Host Eastern Top-Seeded Pistons

Feb 5, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) dribbles against the Chicago Bulls in the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images | Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

The Toronto Raptors conclude one of their longest home stands of the season as they host the Detroit Pistons. This is their first of three matchups this season, and the last game for both teams before the All-Star break.

The Pistons have had a remarkably good season, now sitting 39-13, placing them as the first seed in the East. They have been powered by the All-Star performances of Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren. Cunningham has been averaging virtually 25-10-6 while Duren is posting career numbers of almost 18-2-11. They eliminated any doubt they had in their roster before the deadline when they moved Jaden Ivey for the return of sharpshooter Kevin Huerter. They currently have a 5.5 game lead over the two-seed, but will look to keep that comfortable lead heading into the playoffs.

Detroit relies on physicality and toughness to earn extra baskets. Their offensive rebounding is good for fourth in the league, with 13 per game. Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson lead the way there. The Pistons also lead the League in steals, with 11 per game. This is a team effort, with 10 different players averaging almost, or more than 1 per game with Thompson averaging almost two.

Their biggest weakness is their 3-point shooting. They attempt only about 32 per game, and make only 11, the third worst in the league for those metrics. This is one of the avenues that can give Toronto the upper hand. Their defence has been phenomenal this season, and being able to “cheat” a little bit when it comes to long range shooting could give them an advantage. Help defence can be more aggressive, and they could even mix in some different zone defences that can help slow drivers and cutters. Most importantly, this can help them slow Cade Cunningham. In 34 of their games this season, Cunningham has been their leading scorer. He’s also an effective distributor of the ball, so being able to cut off passing lanes with a tighter defence could play in Toronto’s favour.

Most importantly though, their intensity on the boards will need to be high from the start of the game. With the size and aggressiveness of the Pistons on both ends, they will need to shut down any easy or extra opportunities. With Jackson-Davis an extra body to help (and a stellar first game for the Raptors), hopefully they will be able to shut the Pistons down. Missing CMB will be a loss for sure, and despite the hopeful nature of Poeltl’s status, it’s still unclear if he’ll step foot on the court to help tonight.

Of course, they have some momentum going into this game since the announcement of their second All-Star, Brandon Ingram. In what is probably one of the most heart-warming moments of the season, this video showed up on X from practice, the first moment that Ingram knew he was named a reserve.

here's the footage and its very sweet. darko is a mad man lmao. https://t.co/pYYygju1Bi pic.twitter.com/28n4CwhOSP

— William Lou (@william_lou) February 10, 2026

This will be his opportunity to come out in a “I-told-you-so” kind of fashion to deliver a big win against the top seed in the East. After being snubbed initially, there was a fair amount of backlash and support all over the internet for his case, and now is the perfect time for him to show why it should’ve been him all along.

Where to Watch

Tune in to TSN at 7:30pm ET.

Probable Starters

Raptors: Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Sandro Mamukelashvili

Pistons: Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris, Ausar Thompson, Duncan Robinson

Injury Report

Raptors: Chucky Hepburn (Out: G-League), A.J. Lawson (Out: G-League), Jonathan Mogbo (Out: G-League), Collin Murray-Boyles (Out: G-League), Chris Paul (LOL), Jakob Poeltl (Questionsable: Reconditioning)

Pistons: Ronald Holland II (Out: Personal reasons), Isaac Jones (Out: G-League), Wendell Moore Jr. (Out: G-League)

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/general/49384/raptors-host-eastern-top-seeded-pistons

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Raptors are actually quite on track

TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 11: Brandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during the game against the Detroit Pistons on February 11, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

In one last game before the All-Star Break, the Toronto Raptors welcomed the Detroit Pistons for the first game between these two teams this season. The Pistons are the top team in the East this season, their team-building efforts from the past few seasons coming to fruition.

While fans were disappointed to see the Raptors lose, it proved a thesis that has rung true all season long: The Raptors’ hot start set unrealistic expectations for the ceiling of this current team.

Here’s the thing — they are one season removed from being a tank machine. They make some good moves (ie, getting Brandon Ingram), Scottie Barnes is playing like an All-Star and a potential All-Defence kind of guy, and those are nice improvements from last year. Yet, the idea that they were going to even contend in the Eastern Conference was way too premature for this iteration of the team. That’s before you think about Jakob Poeltl missing a bunch of time, and some unexpected turns in the road as well.

They go on a HOT win streak at the beginning of the season, which is great for vibes. Yet, that set a standard that this current roster just isn’t equipped to maintain. We can acknowledge there have been some exciting improvements this season, while still admitting there is work to be done before this team will have some serious motion in the playoffs.

So, when the No. 1-seed Detroit Pistons come to town and deliver a 113-95 loss to the Raptors, why freak out? Why catastrophize? Why sit there and lament about what they should or shouldn’t have done at the deadline when none of the available moves would have changed much about the situation?

There is way more things to be happy about this season without freaking out over every loss. For the first time since 2020, the Raptors have two players heading to the All-Star Game. Their coaching staff was selected to lead one of the All-Star teams. They have multiple players in the Rising Stars game as well. Not saying the All-Star Game is the be-all and end-all of the year — but the representation is exciting and shows improvement from this team. It shows the league is noticing them and their improvements as well.

This wasn’t meant to be a championship year. It wasn’t meant to be a Conference Finals year. The Raptors are actually fairly on schedule rebuild-wise, and this one loss against the Pistons isn’t reason to go on a dramatic spiral about it all. Unless that brings you joy??

Instead of wasting more energy on a bad loss, I will instead be heading into my All-Star Break ready to rewatch Piper and Paul’s bronze medal Ice Dance program 100 times, go into a Biathlon-lore rabbit hole, and watch some Skeleton. Enjoy your All-Star Break, friends.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-s...aptors-detroit-pistons-game-loss-nba-all-star

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Martin and CMB kick off All-Star Weekend for Raptors in Rising Stars

Feb 13, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team Austin guard Alijah Martin (55) of the Toronto Raptors controls the ball against Team Melo guard Dylan Harper (2) of the San Antonio Spurs during an NBA All Star Rising Stars game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Initially starting as “The Rookie Challenge” this All-Star weekend event has undergone a number of format and style changes to The Rising Stars are broken into four teams, constructed of a variety of players across the league, mostly rookies and sophomores.

Murray-Boyles was part of Team Melo, while Alijah Martin suited up with the G-League squad, Team Austin.

First look at our Rising Stars in their jerseys @NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/GEYVeeVH4G

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 14, 2026

CMB didn’t have much of an opportunity, only seeing a little over a minute of playing time and leaving the stat sheet empty, missing his only shot attempt. Of course, with a lingering thumb injury, that shouldn’t be much of a disappointment. Just being selected and touching the floor is a nice nod to the work he’s been putting in this year.

Fellow Raptor Martin’s night was different as he started the game, playing solid single coverage despite the limited defence we usually see during All-Star weekend. Martin, and the rest of the G-Leaguers had a difficult time scoring from beyond the arc to start, but it didn’t take long to find rhythm. He cashed in a pair of 3s in back to back possessions, then delivered a perfectly placed pass to the hands of Yang who was able to finish the go-ahead layup. After a brief rest he was back in to grab another rebound and set Yang up for a dunk. To Raptors 905 fans, none of this is a surprise the way he’s been navigating the floor this season. He finished with 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists despite playing a little over 10 minutes total.

BACK-TO-BACK 3s for ALIJAH pic.twitter.com/7rfjEpx1MG

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 14, 2026

If you’re a fan of the CEBL, you probably recognized another one of the starters on Team Austin, the other number 55, Sean East II. He had a phenomenal summer with the Edmonton Stingers, carrying their offence for much of the season. He showed flashes of that game tonight as well, with solid ball-handling, speed, and passing.

Despite a solid effort and leading for a good part of the game, team Melo was able to come from behind and reach 40 first, eliminating Martin, East II, and the other G-Leaguers.

In the final, CMB didn’t touch the floor at all, but still made sure to cheer on the team from the bench while chatting with coach Melo. Unfortunately, they fell to Team Vince, but not for lack of effort.

The future for Toronto is bright, and it was nice to see the nod to both Martin and Murray-Boyles as they set foot on the court tonight.

Martin, and the Raptors aren’t done for the weekend though, as Scottie will represent tomorrow in the Shooting Stars competition that will start after 5pm ET. Then, Martin will appear in the G-League Up-Next game, this time alongside teammate A.J. Lawson at 2:30pm ET. The weekend will then be finished off with Scottie and Ingram in the All-Star game on Sunday starting off at 5pm ET.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/general/4...-all-star-weekend-for-raptors-in-rising-stars

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Past and present Toronto Raptors serve big moments on All-Star Sunday

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 15: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the USA Stripes Team handles the ball as Scottie Barnes #4 of the USA Stars Team plays defense during the game during the 75th NBA All-Star Game as part of NBA All-Star Weekend on Sunday, February 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Kyusung Gong/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

It’s not December, but the holidays came early for fans of the Toronto Raptors during NBA All-Star Sunday.

The ghosts of Raptors past and present played an instrumental role for their respective teams – for the most part.

It may be awhile until All-Star weekend returns to Toronto because of the a bitter cold 2016 February, but the Raptors made the most of their moment in Los Angeles.

Scottie Barnes deserves the spotlight​

In another universe, Scottie Barnes was drafted to a different franchise and plays more often in front of an American audience. In that reality, Barnes draws more pseudo-comparisons to Magic Johnson and is constantly talked about as a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

Since this version of Barnes plays for the Raptors, basketball fans outside of Canada often miss out on seeing his basketball genius. With an opportunity to showcase his unique skillset under the bright lights of All-Star Weekend, Barnes was locked in from the moment he got off the bench in game one against Team World.

Barnes is the perfect supplementary player in this type of environment. He plays defence, rebounds the ball, and can quarterback the fast break. When most All-Stars would rather play wide receiver in this setting, Barnes becomes invaluable.

His contagious energy sparked a 10-2 run that would ultimately set the stage for the first of several dramatic finishes. With the game hanging in the balance, it was Barnes who squared up defensively against Victor Wembanyama. Despite the NBA desperately wanting Wembanyama to attempt a game-winner, the French big man had no choice but to give the ball up to a teammate.

In overtime, Barnes endeared himself to onlookers with his physicality against Wembanyama. It was perhaps fate that decided Barnes would be rewarded for his efforts. With Team World making the mistake to help off the three-point line despite a two-pointer not capable of hurting them (first team to five points wins), Barnes knocked down a catch-and-shoot triple from the left wing to seal the victory.

One reason why Team Stars eventually took the tournament crown was the undeniable synergy between Barnes and Detroit Piston Cade Cunningham. The two previously headlined the juggernaut high school team Montverde Academy in 2019-2020. Their chemistry was on full display throughout the night. An example of this was when Barnes flowed into a natural dribble-handoff off the sideline-out-of-bounds play. It resulted in clean left corner three for Cunningham.

Barnes averaged 3.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists while shooting 83.3 per cent.

Brandon Ingram wasn’t his best​

For the first time since 2019-20, Brandon Ingram set foot in an NBA All-Star game. Ingram was 22 years old the last time he was recognized as one of the league’s best players. He had been drafted to Team Giannis and played a game-low eight minutes. Ingram finished with two points while shooting 25 per cent from the field and missing all three of his three-pointers.

Six years later and Ingram is a vastly advanced player in comparison to his days as a Los Angeles Laker. But that didn’t seem to improve his chances at a more productive All-Star outing. Ingram finished with three total rebounds and one assist in three games. He shot 0-for-3 on the night and registered a DNC-CD in the championship.

The highlight of his night was a sleek pass to former Raptors legend Kawhi Leonard. It wasn’t a good sign when Ingram missed his first three. Things got worse when Cunningham denied him at the rim.

Ingram’s play style may not mesh with the free-flowing All-Star format. But that’s okay. Ingram deserved to be there and he’ll get another chance in the years to come.

Kawhi Leonard had fun with it​

The game between Team Stripes and Team Stars produced a kind of drama that only the greats could author. Kawhi Leonard’s performance was eerily similar to what he put together in Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Raptors and the Golden State Warriors.

Down 27-20 with 6:11 left, Leonard raced up the court and calmly knocked down a three from the top of the arc over the outstretched arm of former Raptor teammate Pascal Siakam. He later hit two more triples before finishing his solo 11-0 run with a turnaround baseline jumper over Siakam.

With the game on the line, Leonard hunted a switch to find New York Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns. Seconds later, Leonard drilled the three that would eventually become the game-winner.

A “talented” supporting cast​

While Pascal Siakam was on the wrong end of several highlight plays, he thrived and looked like he belonged amidst the best in the league. He received a lot of criticism for his All-Star selection because of how lowly the Pacers have been this season, but Siakam ended up playing an important role for Team World, especially with Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic losing interest in the festivities.

In his first All-Star appearance, the Miami Heat’s Norman Powell struggled with his normally reliable three-ball (0-for-5). But he did make the most of his time on the court for Team World against Team Stripes in the Round Robin finale. Late in the contest, Powell drove to the basket and found Wembanyama for a corner three. Moments later, Powell corralled a missed shot by Canadian Jamal Murray and scooped the ball into the net for two points to give Team World a 43-40 lead.

On the final possession of the game, head coach Darko Rajakovic designed a nifty big-on-big off-ball screening action with Towns and Wembanyama. Unfortunately, Wembanyama couldn’t knock down the open three.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-g...-raptors-serve-big-moments-on-all-star-sunday

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Martin and Lawson represent Raptors 905 in G-League Next Up

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 21: A.J. Lawson #0 and Alijah Martin #55 of the Toronto Raptors talk prior to the game against the Sacramento Kings on January 21, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Like many of the NBA All-Star weekend events, the G-League Next Up Game has taken on a variety of forms over the years. The first version of this contest, an All-Star game that mimicked the format of the NBA’s, was first held in Las Vegas in 2007. Since then it’s taken on different forms, including a “Futures vs Prospects” format, hosting international teams, all the way to the format we saw today.

The mini-tournament consisted of Red vs. Black, followed by Blue vs. White, with the winners of those contests moving on to the final. Each match was a target score contest, with the first round to 35 and the final to 30.

In similar fashion to the NBA’s All-Star games, the defence and effort was on and off throughout the game. For the final few minutes in both games there was a distinct uptick in energy and effort, with teams wanting to see their way through to the final game.

While it wasn’t nationally televised (in fact it took a few minutes to find the stream on the NBA App), it looked well-attended, doing what it was meant to: providing an opportunity for a few of the many talented G-League players to showcase their talent and represent the organizations they play for with pride.

A.J. Lawson represented the Raptors 905 on Team Red. He opened up scoring for the game with a beautiful shot he stepped into. It was a solid start for him, running the floor, grabbing boards, and moving the ball around.

First bucket of the game goes to @ItsAJLawson pic.twitter.com/ZmR2CjMy0m

— Raptors 905 (@Raptors905) February 15, 2026

He struggled to score a little bit, missing some long range shots and a dunk attempt, but he made the most of it with a clutch baseline cut and a steal late in the game. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to move on, as Team Black took the win on a pair of free-throws.

Alijah Martin was the second player to step on the court representing Toronto, this time for Team Blue. This game appeared to be less balanced, with Team Blue going down 21-8 early. As we know, Martin isn’t one to give in, and showed a little bit more effort on the defensive end than some of the other players. He was able to convert a long range shot that he stepped into, but didn’t make as much of an impact tonight as he did on Friday for the Rising Stars game.

ALIJAH FOR 3 pic.twitter.com/0lTJ8a9OFS

— Raptors 905 (@Raptors905) February 15, 2026

The opposite was true for his once-again teammate, Sean East II. East struggled during the Rising Stars game, but cashed in a pair of 3s (one on the assist from Martin), and had a nice move in the paint for a floater.

Their combined effort brought the score up to 26-23, but they weren’t able to continue on either, with Team White running away with the game after a timeout.

Follow AJ & ALIJAH at the @nbagleague NEXT UP GAME pic.twitter.com/9VvBRep9JH

— Raptors 905 (@Raptors905) February 15, 2026

It also says a lot that both A.J. Lawson and Sean East II are representing Canadian Basketball as alumni of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. Lawson spent a season playing for the Guelph Nighthawks before he made his way to the NBA and returned to the G-League. He took a similar path as Lawson, taking the leap to play for the Edmonton Stingers of the CEBL after his first season in the G-League. During that season, he set the single-season scoring record of the CEBL on August 10 with a total of 546 points. Not much of a surprise when you see him making shots like this:

all-star range #ItStartsHere pic.twitter.com/PtRiznU5To

— Salt Lake City Stars (@slcstars) February 15, 2026

While it was disappointing to see neither of the Raptors 905 guys move on, it remains a testament to the development of players within the program to have both of them represented there.

Now, we wait for Scottie and Ingram will represent Toronto in the All-Star Game later tonight.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/general/49404/martin-and-lawson-represent-raptors-905-in-g-league-next-up