RSS Raptors Team Notes

[Toronto Raptors]

Ja’Kobe Walter looks ‘ready for the challenge,’ says Rajakovic after win

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 19: Collin Sexton #2 of the Chicago Bulls and Ja'Kobe Walter #14 of the Toronto Raptors battle for a loose ball during the first half at the United Center on February 19, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Daniel Bartel/Getty Images) | Getty Images

There might have been some post-All-Star break rust, but the Toronto Raptors took care of business on the road with a 110-101 win against the Chicago Bulls.

The Raptors were able to hold Chicago at arm’s length for much of the game – they led by as much as 14 and Chicago never led by more than three.

The Bulls mounted a late effort that forced Toronto to play real clutch minutes, but ultimately, the same things that propelled the Raps to an early lead brought them home to a victory: stout defense and (2026 All-Star) Brandon Ingram being a hooper. And while he didn’t play the final three minutes, Ja’Kobe Walter’s fingerprints were all over this result.

It was a game like few others: For just the fourth time this season, the Raptors’ entire roster was available. Head coach Darko Rajakovic elected to bring Jakob Poeltl off the bench – something the Austrian center hadn’t done since December 2024 – as he continues getting his legs under him off an extended absence. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles got the start over him.

Toronto got out to an early 10-2 lead. And while some of the timing was off on offense – it was a pretty long All-Star break, after all – the defensive rotations looked crisp from the get-go.

With all the starters healthy (well, Poeltl didn’t quite look healthy, but he played), the Raptors’ bench unit was able to play in their natural roles, and they looked great. Jamal Shead fought through a screen and forced an offensive foul early on by Isaac Okoro. Ja’Kobe Walter did the same thing with Collin Sexton. It’s the little things! (An aside: How frequently do both teams in an NBA game have a player named Collin?)

The Bulls finished the first quarter with a paltry 11 turnovers. There may have been some rust (and new teammate syndrome) involved on Chicago’s side, but those turnovers were very much a result of the Raptors sending unpredictable double teams, chasing loose balls with force, and effectively walling off the paint.

Alas, the Raptors got off to a rough shooting start, and only won the quarter 25-23 despite attempting 10 more field goals than Chicago.

The Raptors’ stifling defense held up in the second quarter as they went on a 12-0 run that opened up their lead. Bulls guard Anfernee Simons, recently acquired from the Boston Celtics, hit a couple timely threes in the quarter that stopped the bleeding.

But Ingram was in something of a flow state, and dropped 17 points in the half. He and Barnes combined for more than half the team’s first-half points. Ingram finished the game with 31 points, eight rebounds and six assists, and shot 3/5 from beyond the arc. (The rest of the team was a combined 4/18. Yuck!)

Walter, meanwhile, played one of his best games of the season, scoring 14 points with four boards and three steals in 22 minutes, and making a case for the rotation spot above Gradey Dick. He was incredibly active on defense, and made a couple big offensive plays in the third quarter from the same left corner – one was a missed three where he got his own rebound and hit a reverse layup, and the other was a made three to make it 78-64, the largest lead of the game.

A 7-0 run driven by point guard Tre Jones brought the Bulls back to within seven in the third; he also scored a buzzer beating layup off a Raptors’ defensive breakdown. Ingram made some nice plays toward the end of the quarter, including a beautiful touch pass to Murray-Boyles (not his last one of the game, mind you) and one of a few effortless looking mid-range jumpers.

The Bulls closed the gap to four points early on in the fourth quarter. Quickley, who finished with 14 points on 5/12 shooting, was feeling it with his floaters, and hit a couple that kept the Raptors ahead.

With the score at 96-92, a key sequence ensued that encapsulated the Raptors’ defense-to-offense success and the game’s often frantic pace: Jamal Shead stole the ball off Rob Dillingham, diving to the floor to grab it, then flipped the ball to Quickley who led a fast-break that ended with a corner three by none other than Ja’Kobe Walter.

After another Shead bucket and a monster help-side block by (2026 All-Star) Scottie Barnes, the Raptors took what felt like a potentially commanding 103-94 lead. But the Bulls respondedwith a 7-0 run, capped off by another timely Simons three, and the score was 103-101 Raps.

Then Brandon Ingram won the basketball game.

From the top of the key, Ingram made his second of the aforementioned touch passes to Murray-Boyles, who’d gotten deep post position in a mismatch against Simons, and drew an and-one. Then, after a defensive stop, Ingram hit another one of his effortless-looking mid-range buckets, this one serving as the dagger. Murray-Boyles blocked a Simons three to put icing on the cake.

This was one of those many nights when Raptors fans are thankful to have Brandon Ingram, a true hooper, to bail out the offense on a night when the threes are simply not falling. The Bulls scored 15 more points on threes, but the Raptors’ stellar defense made up for that math as they forced 23 turnovers vs giving up 14.

Ingram was complimentary of Walter after the game, and gave the sophomore credit for his defense.

“We actually went at it in practice a little bit the other day where he got into my shit,” he said. “He makes guys not want to dribble the basketball.”

Barnes finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and five assists, along with two steals and a block. RJ Barrett was a team-high +14, and scored 13 points with six rebounds. Gradey Dick played nine scoreless minutes, and did not make much of a case to get Walter’s minutes. But ultimately it was very refreshing to see what looks like the team’s true 10-man rotation, depending your thoughts on Jamison Battle.

The Raptors remain in the Midwest as they take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday afternoon. They’re currently 2.5 games ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers at fifth in the Eastern Conference.

The Bulls, who made a few deals at the trade deadline that have put them squarely on a rebuilding path, are not the most formidable opponent. But tonight was a solid showing for the Raptors coming off an extended break, and particularly for Ingram and Walter, who may just be solidifying his role with the team.

Rajakovic said as much when asked about Walter getting bigger minutes: “There’s a growing confidence with our group that he’s ready for the challenge,” he said.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-s...dy-for-the-challenge-says-rajakovic-after-win

 

[Toronto Raptors]

NO MORE TANKING? NBA rule changes coming

May 12, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, US; Rolando Blackman of the Dallas Mavericks poses with Mark Tatum NBA Deputy Commissioner after winning the the first pick during the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery at McCormick Place. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images

It’s been a week off of basketball and a week of FREAKING OUT over hockey???? Those hockey people love chaos, because oh my god the stress?? As I sop up my tears from the Canadian Women losing the gold medal earlier today, another interesting bit of news hit my feed.

Apparently, Adam Silver is about to bring the hammer down on TANKING.

Commissioner Adam Silver informed the league's 30 general managers on Thursday that the NBA plans to make anti-tanking rule changes for next season, sources tell ESPN. Stakeholders have intensified dialogue about combatting tanking.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 19, 2026

As someone who has been following the Toronto Raptors the past few seasons, I know a thing or two about the tank machine. It’s a miserable ride. Yet, if done right, it can result in some good good stuff. See: Scottie Barnes.

The overall product, though, while you’re mid-tank, is awful. Understandably, the league wants to try to combat it. They need to do something because the enthusiasm to pay 2026 NBA game prices to watch a tanking team is low. No one wants that. It’s one thing to pay money to go see a good game, and then your team ends up losing — it’s entirely different to pay hundreds of dollars to go watch a team deliberately lose so that they might be able to get a good 19-year-old player and be a good team in 3-ish seasons. It’s not a good system.

I also admit I don’t have the answer. I’m genuinely curious how the league tries to get stricter about tanking, on top of what they are already doing. Being strict about injury management tactics, taking away awards for players who only play a certain number of games, it all helps, but clearly not enough. Ultimately, there will also be a pro-tanking group as well — the kind of people who are willing to sacrifice a season of good hoops in exchange for a generational player.

My two cents here come from the fact that I watch a lot of WNBA basketball. The WNBA, because it’s a smaller league with shorter seasons, uses the last two seasons of data to create their draft odds. That means that a team can’t just tank one season and then have the best draft odds. You need to be the worst for two seasons to have the best draft odds, and well… you’re not really trying to do that, it just happens. In the WNBA, it’s happening at the moment because certain franchises are behind in terms of facilities and player treatment, making them unideal free agency destinations, meaning they don’t get the best players. That leads to you not being a very competitive team, and well, then you get good draft odds.

For example, the Connecticut Sun. They made it to the WNBA semifinals in 2024, but didn’t make the playoffs in 2025. They were the third-worst team in 2025, but went into the lottery with the fifth-best odds because of how well they did the year before. Not sure if expanding draft odds to be two-years in the NBA would help or hinder their problem.

So tell me, what do you think of the NBA cracking down on tanking? Can they? Is it a good idea? Plus, what’s your big idea for exactly WHAT they do? Let me know in the comments:

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-draft-rumors-news/49425/nba-tanking-rules-cba-playoffs-draft-odds

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Are the Toronto Raptors nearing the end of an era?

TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 5: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the Toronto Raptors and Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors high five during the game against the Chicago Bulls on February 5, 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

No one is walking through the door to help the Toronto Raptors. While several Eastern Conference rivals bolstered their rosters in preparation for the playoff sprint ahead, the Raptors opted to pursue meaningful internal changes.

The organization is clearly not ready to let go of this group – at least not yet. Whether that mindset proves fruitful remains to be seen. But this iteration of the Raptors seemingly has one final chance to prove they’re worth investing in and it begins with a matchup against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.

Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. EST on Sportsnet.

Here are three storylines ahead of the matchup.

Poeltl Must Pay it Forward​

The unofficial mid-season break couldn’t have come at a better time for the Raptors as they desperately attempt to keep their grasp on a playoff spot.

The two players that admirably stepped up while the team dealt with injuries earlier in the year, Sandro Mamakelashvili and Collin Murray-Boyles, are ironically listed as questionable. Mamukelashvili has exceeded all expectations and remains on track as one of the best free-agent signings in franchise history. Meanwhile, Murray-Boyles is still dealing with a thumb issue. The rookie is averaging 7.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocks.

Before the All-Star festivities, Jakob Poeltl finally returned after missing 24 consecutive games. While on a minutes restriction, Poeltl finished with nine points and six rebounds in 20 minutes during a 113-95 defeat to the Detroit Pistons on Feb. 11.

With only 26 games left in the Raptors’ schedule, Poeltl will finish the season playing fewer than 57 games for the fourth straight year. The Raptors’ playoff hopes and season highly depend on Poeltl’s back holding up. Even if he’s not at full strength, Poeltl’s availability considerably improves Toronto’s chances in the East.

The Bulls are confused​

Even when the Bulls started the season with five consecutive victories, no one outside of Chicago batted an eye. At 6-1, the Bulls held the top spot in the Eastern Conference on Nov. 1. With the NBA returning from its All-Star Weekend, the Bulls are 24-31 and currently hold the 11th seed.

The Bulls have etched an awkward page in history books as a frequent participant in the league’s play-in tournament. Chicago has appeared in the competition in each of the last three years. They’ve accumulated a 2-3 record during this span.

After years of mediocrity, the Bulls’ front office decided to move in a new direction. But in what is the feather in the cap for those who believe Bulls fans are still paying for how they ended their golden era, the team still feels directionless despite roster changes.

Out goes Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Ousmane Dieng and Mike Conley in separate transactions. In return, Chicago acquired Anfernee Simons, Colin Sexton, Jaden Ivey, Rob Dillingham, Nick Richards and Guerschon Yabusele.

When Josh Giddey and Tre Jones return from their respective hamstring injuries, the Bulls’ coaching staff will have to solve the funky logjam of guards they have.

Even with the Bulls in disarray, the Raptors will still have their hands full against a scrappy Bulls team that ranks 11th in rebounding. If Poeltl and Murray-Boyles miss the game, it’ll take a team effort to contain Richards and Yabusele, both of whom are expected to be on “prove-it” missions for the rest of the season. Centre Jalen Smith, who has been dealing with a calf stain, has also been fantastic in limited minutes.

This feels familiar​

It feels like the Raptors have been here before. There’s an eerie tension in the air that suggests a transition is waiting around the corner, ready to ambush the fans into the next era of Raptors basketball.

The optimistic basketball fan in Toronto will remind their peers that something fun typically follows. From Mighty Mouse and Vinsanity to Chris Bosh. From DeMar DeRozan’s ‘Young Gunz’ era to We the North. Then there’s the 2019 championship run to this current version of the team.

The latter is still difficult to judge because it’s defined by Scottie Barnes, who has never benefitted from proper roster construction. Since moving on from the parts that helped bring the city’s first NBA title, the Raptors have leaned on the likes of Immanuel Quickley, Canadian RJ Barrett, Gradey Dick and Ja’Kobe Walter as key acquisitions. What makes them important adds were the assets, cap room and draft capital used.

While the Raptors never miss out on an opportunity to remind fans and media they’re in the middle of a rebuild, it’s difficult to completely buy in, considering their lone move at the trade deadline was partly done to get under the tax line.

Skipping the play-in tournament should be the expectation because it’s time to see what this group can do in the playoffs.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-g...the-toronto-raptors-nearing-the-end-of-an-era

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Raptors take season series with dominant victory over Bucks

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 22: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball against Ryan Rollins #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter at Fiserv Forum on February 22, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

If you sat down to watch the Toronto Raptors game today hoping for a feel-good win after a disappointing and frustrating Canadian Men’s hockey game, you’re not alone. Although they were down early, they rallied to deliver a decisive 122-94 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, now with two straight wins and remaining undefeated since the All-Star Break. This victory also means Toronto wins the season series against Milwaukee 3-1.

While the lineups were mostly intact, Scottie remained away due to personal reasons for Toronto while Giannis Antetokounmpo and Taurean Prince continued to rehab for the Bucks.

Milwaukee started the matchup strong with their effort on the offensive boards and paint touches. In total, they managed 13 offensive boards, with Bobby Portis Jr. leading the way in that hustle category. Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins carried the majority of the scoring load, finishing with 21-2-10 and 21-9-1 respectively. Although solid individual performances, the Bucks continue to feel the absence of Giannis, unable to get their offence going as a whole.

Toronto had a solid shooting game, finishing 16-46 from behind the arc. Six different Raptors hit 3s, a welcome change from some of the tougher games of the year. The biggest key to their victory remains the same as many of their wins though, with pinpoint execution of passing and ball movement delivering plays like this:

THIS PLAY RIGHT HERE >>> pic.twitter.com/H1wxvK4e8t

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 22, 2026

Their defence also played a massive role, keeping them in the game during scoring droughts. The Bucks committed 17 turnovers which provided 27 points for Toronto, almost equal to their margin of victory.

It also didn’t hurt that Toronto’s bench outscored Milwaukee’s 47-32.

Quickley had a phenomenal all-around game for Toronto, finding a soft touch around the rim to go along with solid 3-point shooting that allowed him to finish with 32-3-9. He scored 18 points in the second quarter alone, continuing to prove that despite some struggles early on in the season, he’s continuing to find rhythm and his role on this team. Ingram was also instrumental, despite finding himself against a variety of defensive matchups and double teams was able to contribute 22-2-6.

27 PTS FOR IQ AND COUNTING pic.twitter.com/eDFaFqlVy1

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 22, 2026

Finding mismatches early were key. Despite AJ Green’s ability to make long range shots at an impressive clip, his small stature made him a target for the Raptors’ offence initially. Ingram in particular was able to find ways to get by him or draw fouls, allowing him to get going early on. Milwaukee switched to a zone defence, forcing the Raptors to execute the weakest component of their offence.

yessir bi pic.twitter.com/Ob2K7axjBi

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 22, 2026

The Bucks were relentless in the paint, finishing overtop of their defender one-on-one and getting second and third chance opportunities repeatedly.

The bench infused some energy, with Shead, Mamu, and CMB digging in to keep Toronto within striking distance.

In the second, possessions and scoring were back and forth with both teams finding rhythm. Battle, IQ, Mamu, and Ja’Kobe were all able to hit shots from long range to give Toronto a sustained lead and forced Milwaukee to adjust defensively. The Bucks tried to find their own shot, moving the ball around the arc to take advantage of slow close-outs, especially by Poeltl who is still recovering. They weren’t as successful in this frame, giving Toronto a nine point advantage as they headed to the locker room.

BATTLE FROM DEEP pic.twitter.com/zS34be7nQJ

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 22, 2026

The Bucks came out of the locker room full of energy and drew within two possessions, but Toronto answered with the tandem of Shead and Quickley orchestrating another offensive burst that gave Toronto a 13-point advantage.

The Raptors continued to roll, and a series of timeouts for the Bucks demonstrated their need for someone to step up and carry the scoring load. Despite best efforts from Kevin Porter Jr. and Bobby Portis Jr. (to the extent of a flagrant foul penalty one), Toronto ended the quarter with a 19-point advantage.

JAMAL STRIKES AGAIN pic.twitter.com/bv8i4LFDZP

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 22, 2026

Toronto stayed solid all the way to the buzzer. Any hint of momentum from Milwaukee triggered a time out, allowing the Raptors to regroup and defend their lead. The remainder of the bench checked into the game for the final few minutes.

Next, Toronto will host a pair of exciting matchups, starting with defending champs Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday. Tune in at 7:30pm ET on TSN.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-s...eason-series-with-dominant-victory-over-bucks

 

[Toronto Raptors]

The Toronto Raptors should lean into their Canadian hockey identity

TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 11: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors stands for the National Anthem before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 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 Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The entire country of Canada will have an early start to their sports viewing experience on Sunday, and the Toronto Raptors could surely benefit from leaning into the hockey pride sweeping the nation.

After the Olympic gold medal game between Canada and the United States, the Raptors are set to take on the Milwaukee Bucks. With the province of Ontario permitting the sale of alcohol as early as 6 a.m EST, the Raptors have a tough act to follow for a likely rowdy audience, regardless of the outcome on the ice.

But ahead of tip-off, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. EST on TSN, it’s worth noting that the Raptors and the Canadian men’s hockey team share surprising narratives and traits headed into their respective matchups.

Here are three storylines to watch out for.

Life without their leader​

With the team declaring Scottie Barnes out due to personal reasons, the Raptors will be without their All-Star for the second time this season. Similar to Sidney Crosby for Team Canada, Barnes is the heartbeat of the team. The last time Barnes missed action was during a 125-117 loss to the Boston Celtics on Jan. 9. Toronto is 4-14 without Barnes over the last two seasons.

Even against a Bucks team without Giannis Antetokounmpo, losing Barnes is a big deal. His ability to ignite opportunities in transition off defensive stops is reminiscent of the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid launching himself out of a cannon through the neutral zone. Passing lanes materialize out of nowhere when Barnes has the ball in his hands, even when the defence seemingly has the advantage. While the Bucks aren’t as imposing defensively without Antetokounmpo, they did look rejuvenated in their 139-118 win against the Pelicans on Feb. 20, finishing with nine steals and eight blocks.

On the defensive end, Barnes is more like Colorado Avalanche defenceman Cale Makar. They’ve got a similar defensive genius that is leveraged into offensive wizardry. The Bucks have a duo of streaky scorers in Kevin Porter Jr. and Cam Thomas. Without Barnes, it’ll be up to perimeter defenders like Jamal Shead and Ja’Kobe Walter to help keep them in check. Porter and Thomas combined for 52 points, while shooting 75 per cent from three against New Orleans.

A shaky last line of defence​

Jakob Poeltl has officially played in back-to-back games for the first time since Dec. 15. Seeing the Austrian on the court is a welcome sight, but there’s something visibly off about Poeltl. Whether it’s due to his back injury or because he’s still ramping up to his usual workload, Poeltl doesn’t look the same.

What he’s supposed to be is the steady rock of the team. A reliable and calming presence on the defensive end and someone who takes pressure off the offence. In many ways, both good and bad, he’s the Jordan Binnington of the Raptors. How far the Raptors go this year will be heavily determined by what Poeltl has left in the tank. His ability to grind out possessions in close games, and especially in contests that slow the pace down, extends Toronto’s runway for mistakes.

Even with calf strains potentially holding out Myles Turner in addition to Antetokounmpo, the Raptors will still need Poeltl to help deal with the athletic Jericho Sims and pesky Bobby Portis. Sims recorded two blocks against the Pelicans, while Portis finished with a double-double (17 points, 11 rebounds).

Next star up​

It’s tricky to find an apt hockey comparison for Brandon Ingram. The one that makes the most sense would be a combination of the expectations that come with the Colorado Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon and the explosive offensive volume generated by the San Jose Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini. Unlike MacKinnon, who isn’t 100 per cent at the Olympics, Ingram has luckily avoided any season-derailing injuries with the Raptors. But the two share a similar burden this weekend, with the forwards having to step their game up in the absence of their co-star’s unavailability.

Ingram dropped a cool 31 points against the Bulls on Feb. 19, including a mid-range jumper that helped seal the win. One day later, MacKinnon scored the game-winning goal to send Canada to the gold-medal game.

Stage presence is everything as the playoffs loom, and Ingram will need to lean on his confidence to keep the Raptors in the Eastern Conference race.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-g...ould-lean-into-their-canadian-hockey-identity

 

[Toronto Raptors]

OKC defense too much for Toronto Raptors

Feb 24, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) dribbles against Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) during the third quarter at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

“You can’t curate your circumstances,” said Mark Daigneault before the Oklahoma City Thunder played the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night, and that stuck with me. It’s true in every aspect of life, as he went on to mention, but seems especially true in sports. Especially true in basketball, and even more so in the final months of the season. You can build a great roster, create great plays, have great team chemistry — but so much of that goes out the door in the final stretch of the season.

You can’t pick and choose what players will be available to you by the time March rolls around. Sometimes, the players you have are dealing with minutes restrictions or lingering injury issues (see: Jakob Poeltl). The schedule doesn’t stop for you, though. You need to adapt to it.

Now, when you’re dealing with the circumstances at hand, and your opponent is as well, but theirs are worse (see: SGA still out), then maybe you should take advantage of that. The Raptors did not tonight.

Toronto’s performance against OKC is a huge reason why I am of the belief that people overreact when this team loses. I know that sounds weird, but listen (read?). This current iteration of the Toronto Raptors isn’t built to win a championship — I’ve said this before. They are having a good growth year, sure. RJ Barrett said exactly that after the game tonight, to think back to where they were last season at this time. How much better they are, but also hhow mucht hey still have to learn.

He’s right, and games like this are proving what this roster is lacking. Poeltl, of course, is a big hole in this roster as his injury is managed, and he doesn’t play both games on back-to-backs. They also lack the offensive punch needed to compete with the best NBA teams.

Once a team like OKC shuts down the Raptors’ best offensive player (Ingram), there isn’t much Toronto can do to recover. Scottie Barnes, of course, helps. Other than that, the Raptors’ offence tonight lacked the accuracy needed to overcome the Thunder. OKC’s defence was too suffocating, the Raptors weren’t shooting well enough, and they weren’t defending with 100% intensity 100% of the time. That’s important when playing the reigning champions.

What was great about their performance, though, was the urgency they played with in the fourth quarter. Too little too late? Maybe. Better than just rolling over, though. Barrett even compared it to how they lost to the Pistons a few weeks ago — that tonight they at least put up a fight. What you can’t do after coming back like that is let OKC go on a 9-0 run, though. Lesson learned.

The other bit of news, as we head into the second night of a back-to-back tomorrow, is that Scottie Barnes tweaked his quad in the final minutes of tonight’s game. The team says he has a quad contusion and is questionable for tomorrow’s game against San Antonio.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-scores-results/49457/okc-raptors-toronto-game-nba-recap

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Toronto Raptors look to sweep season series against OKC Thunder

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - JANUARY 25: Brandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball while being defended by Cason Wallace #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Paycom Center on January 25, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Toronto Raptors hit the ground running coming off the All-Star break, with road wins against Chicago and Milwaukee. Now, they return to Toronto to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are a league-best 44-14.

The Raptors won 103-101 in January when they last took on the defending champs. This time around they’ll face a depleted version as they look to sweep the season series against the league’s best team. Here are a few storylines for tonight’s game, which is the first leg of a back-to-back.

Who is playing?​

Remember when people were predicting whether OKC could reach 70 wins, or even reach the 2015-16 Warriors’ 73-win mark? They’re still damn good, but with 14 losses, those conversations are officially over – and the Thunder’s injury bug won’t help their chances of securing the top seed in the Western Conference. The Thunder are missing reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous Alexander, which is a shame for Raptors fans who were hoping to see Canada’s top player in action. They’re also down All-Star forward Jalen Williams – and with Chet Holmgren questionable with back spasms, the Raptors may see a version of the Thunder that includes none of its three best players.

But the Thunder are easily one of the league’s deepest teams. Cason Wallace is a gritty defender capable of big offensive performances. Isaiah Joe is a lethal shooter. Jared McCain, the second-year guard the Thunder acquired before the trade deadline from the Philadelphia 76ers, has provided a nice infusion of scoring off the bench during this shorthanded stretch. Nikola Topic, who recently made his debut following a battle with testicular cancer, is getting minutes! With SGA and Williams out, the Thunder have resorted to a quicker pace that matches how the Raptors like to play.

The Raptors will be without Jakob Poeltl, who’s getting a rest night to manage his back injury ahead of a game vs. the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. That will force someone to play bigger than their size against center Isaiah Hartenstein – but it’ll also allow the Raptors to play fast. Scottie Barnes, who missed last game for personal reasons, is back in the lineup, along with the presumed starters of Brandon Ingram, Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and Collin Murray-Boyles. Ja’Kobe Walter started last game in place of Barnes, and has played his way into a steady rotation spot in the wake of Ochai Agbaji being traded.

IQ!​

With Scottie Barnes out, Immanuel Quickley was the driving force of the Raptors’ 122-94 win against the Bucks on Sunday. (An especially important blowout win to help take our minds off the gold medal game…) After a slow start to the season, Quickley has really picked things up in the last couple months, and particularly in February; he’s averaging 20 points per game on 44% three-point shooting this month. That hot shooting carried into Sunday’s game, when he went 5/11 from beyond the arc en route to 32 points and nine assists.

Another thing on display Sunday was some lovely two-man action with Quickley and Poeltl, who set a number of screens that Quickley played off of brilliantly, in some cases dumping the ball to Poeltl and then relocating for the catch. The chemistry looked nice – but with Poeltl out tonight, and likely to miss a number of games to manage his injury, Quickley will need to find other ways to cut into the teeth of the defense. If he can keep shooting like this, that spacing alone will be a huge boon for the offense. Plus, one of the team’s best-performing two-man pairings is Quickley with Jamal Shead. The two guards have a +8.0 net rating per 100 possessions in 355 minutes together, according to NBA.com.

Thumbs up?​

Collin Murray-Boyles’ rookie season has been one of many positives for the 2025-26 Raptors. With Poeltl in and out of the lineup, CMB has played his way into being an occasional starter. His defense looks way ahead of schedule, and he’s shown very nice playmaking flashes. Where he has room for improvement is his assertiveness under the basket. Sometimes he’ll hold onto the ball or kick out when the best play would be to attack the rim.

But Murray-Boyles has been nursing a left thumb injury which has kept him out of games, and in all likelihood is a major factor in that hesitance. We saw him wince and grab that thumb after a strong dunk attempt, on which he drew a foul, against the Chicago Bulls last week. The last thing Raptors fans want is for the rookie to seriously re-aggravate his thumb. That would certainly not be good news for head coach Darko Rajakovic, who is already not working with much size on the roster. But CMB could unlock something if he goes up a level around the rim, and would be more dangerous when he’s grabbing his 2.5 offensive rebounds per game.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-g...ok-to-sweep-season-series-against-okc-thunder

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Raptors crumble late in game, lose to Spurs

Feb 25, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett (9) and forward Collin Murray-Boyles (12) block out San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

There are certain players who draw a crowd wherever they go. LeBron James, of course. Steph Curry, Luka Doncic, SGA all come to mind. Victor Wembenyama, though, warmed up ahead of the Spurs’ sole game in Toronto this season to a level of fanfare most of those aforementioned guys rarely see. People were going wild for him, the security in Toronto was hauling people off the sidelines, and kids were screaming for his attention. That’s just the kind of attention the 7-foot-3 French superstar gets on a nightly basis.

It’s only the second time Wemby has played in Toronto, given he was out last year by the time San Antonio made their East Coast road trip. Especially for these West Coast guys who only come here once per season, the fans show up.

Toronto, luckily, had its roster intact to try to deal with the size and strength Wemby brings. Scottie Barnes was cleared to play after tweaking his quad last night, and Jakob Poeltl was available after missing last night due to injury management.

One of the most intriguing decisions, though, was matching Wemby with their rookie, Collin Murray-Boyles. It makes sense, but the trust in their rookie is really fun to see. We know CMB is a beast — his strength for his level of experience is wild, and it makes sense they used him against someone like Wemby. He did really well, despite the obvious height mismatch. He also tweaked his thumb again, causing an early exit from the game in the fourth quarter. Overall though, solid performance from CMB on a juggernaut like Wemby.

Jakob Poeltl also played excellently for Toronto, and looked better than he has in a long time. He was active under the rim, doing his best to defend when he was on that low matchup, Wemby or no Wemby. He was moving well, running back on offence, and making a huge difference. His activity on the glass kept Toronto in a lot of possessions.

Things were looking good for Toronto heading into the fourth quarter; they were up by double-digits against a top team in the league, and were playing well. Despite all of that, the Raptors lost 110-107 to the Spurs.

What happened? Well, first, the Raptors started the fourth quarter without Ingram or Barnes on the court. That resulted in a 9-0 run by San Antonio, evaporating the Raptors’ lead. Despite holding Wembenyama to 12 points in the game, both Fox and Vassell scored 20+, and Dylan Harper scored 15 points off the bench. In the end, the Raptors couldn’t capitalize on some clutch opportunities to tie or win the game in the end.

Darko Rajakovic explained after the game that the Raptors’ Ingram never starts the fourth quarter, since he plays the entire third quarter. Barnes was playing on a sore quad and communicated with the coaching staff that he wanted to play fewer minutes if possible, leading to him being on the bench to start the fourth quarter. It was also the second night of a back-to-back, but if it hadn’t been, I’d probably want Ingram in there for Scottie regardless of whether he played the entire third or not. C’est la vie.

That’s the Raptors’ second loss in a row. They only have one game in the next seven days, against the Washington Wizards on Saturday, before they play the New York Knicks on Wednesday back at home.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-s...ors-toronto-san-antonio-spurs-game-wembenyama

 

[Toronto Raptors]

The Raptors have officially gone winless to the Knicks for three years straight

Mar 3, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) drives to the basket against Toronto Raptors guard Scottie Barnes (4) during the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

As of tonight, the Toronto Raptors have officially lost their twelfth consecutive game to the New York Knicks, continuing a disheartening pattern begun in 2023. Brandon Ingram’s 31 wasn’t enough to outscore the top dogs of the Atlantic Division, as the Knicks hammered Toronto for a 111-95 loss. It’s fitting for New York to have rubbed salt in the wound on the day that Toronto is celebrating “Bills Night”, honouring Canadian fandom for upstate New York’s NFL team. If this was punishment for our city supporting the Bills instead of an NYC team, I can go to sleep a little easier with the knowledge that the Giants stink. Small mercies.

The Knicks coming to Canada these days means a reunion: OG Anunoby comes back to the city where he won a ring, and RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley get a chance to see new versions of their longtime team. But tonight, there was an even rarer homecoming from Raptors legends turned Bills owners Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter. The cousins were acting as ambassadors for their NFL team, attempting to do in Canada for the sport of football much what they did for the sport of basketball in the 1990s.

The game began on a positive note for Toronto. Threes for the Raptors fell easily at the start of the first quarter, with IQ and Ingram’s strokes from deep hitting their marks. Toronto played pass-first basketball, facilitating and kicking out for long range bombs, while letting Ingram lean on the mid-range shot he’s made so famous.

The Raptors ran a two-guard lineup with both Quickley and Shead, letting Quickley focus on offence and Shead tackle the tough defensive assignment of guarding Brunson. Shead was a pest this quarter, stuck on Brunson like white on rice, forcing turnovers and guarding him tightly. The Raps jumped out to an early lead that was slowly relinquished to the Knicks. Subbing out members of the starting lineup seemed to disrupt momentum the Raptors had built, and their luck from long range would not continue. With a Mikal Bridges three, the Raptors lead to was erased, Knicks up one. RJ Barrett was unable to make a last second layup, leaving the score at the end of the first quarter 32-31 New York.

Into the second, the Knicks unleashed their own mirror to Shead in Jose Alvarado, who not only hounded Immanuel Quickley, but looked more than comfortable finishing at the rim, at that. With a Karl-Anthony Towns dunk, a double digit deficit appeared, but that aggression came at the cost of a third foul for Towns, who was quickly pulled for Bridges. While the Raptors pushed back, the Knicks maintained a gap of multiple possessions off the back of a scoring burst from Landry Shamet. It was now the Knicks whose facilitation stood out, as they swung the rock back and forth with grace, setting up teammates for shots without leaning on self-creation in excess. With a minute left and the ball in Brunson’s hands, he drove in past defenders and laid it in with grace. Barnes’ three missed off an airtight pass from a driving RJ Barrett. New York led by ten at the end of the half, 68-58.

Into the third quarter, while the game remained a series of back and forth punches, a driving layup from Scottie brought the game to within four points, and off a Jamal Shead lob, Barnes got a slam dunk to cut the New York lead to two. For a moment, it seemed as if at the end of the third quarter, the Raptors would masterfully turn it around. The arena seemingly held its breath; and with the punch of a Jalen Brunson three, the wind was knocked out of the stadium as the Knicks maintained their lead. The third quarter ended 87-82 for the Knicks.

At the beginning of the fourth, RJ Barrett was subbed in, dropping in a three to make the game a single possession contest, continuing to put the Raptors on his shoulders offensively this quarter as he kept pouring in buckets, creating his own shots or splashing buckets off dimes. While they could score, nothing could seem to contain the Knicks’ offence. Halfway through the quarter, the Raptors got another breath of fresh air, Immanuel Quickley’s jumpshot bringing it to within two, as an ill timed full-court pass from Jamal Shead sent the ball into the stands, and left the spectators crying out as momentum stalled. The Raptors pulled Quickley for Shead, otherwise bringing back their starting lineup for a defensive oriented squad; Coach Darko Rajaković noted postgame that Toronto was attempting to foul for a chance to put Quickley back in, but were unable to.

Jalen Brunson proved his nickname Captain Clutch to be true as he drilled in a three to bring the lead back out of reach, hitting 100 points with his shot. As the Knicks kept firing, stellar offensive rebounding allowed them to keep possession. From here on out, the rest of the game was garbage time.

As a facilitator, Scottie Barnes was lacklustre tonight, notching only one assist.

“Maybe at the end there, we let their physicality get to us a little bit too much,” said Poeltl, reflecting on the game.

As New York ascends to the top of the East, and Toronto continues to falter, being able to win those tight fourth quarters will be what shifts this year’s Raptors squad from a fringe playoff team getting lucky, to a serious contending roster. It just seems that we’re not quite there yet.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-n...inless-to-the-knicks-for-three-years-straight

 

[Toronto Raptors]

The Raptors keep losing to the league’s top teams. Can they beat Minnesota?

TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 4: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles against Brandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors during the second 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

The Toronto Raptors, by just about any measure, are enjoying a highly successful season. At 35-26, they’ve surpassed all reasonable expectations for a team that picked up just 30 wins last year. They have two All-Stars, and are well on their way to a playoff appearance.

And yet, Tuesday’s loss to the New York Knicks cemented a concern that’s been on many Raptors fans’ minds: They can’t seem to beat good teams.

The Raptors are currently just 4-16 against the 10 teams ahead of them in the NBA standings. Three of those four wins came early on against the then-struggling Cleveland Cavaliers who had not yet added James Harden. Four of the losses, meanwhile, have come against the Knicks, each by a margin of 16 or greater.

On the flip side, the Raptors are a dominant 31-10 against the 18 teams beneath them in the league standings. Beating bad/mediocre teams is not a useless exercise: Those results make a big difference when it comes to fighting for playoff seeding.

But as the playoffs draw closer, the Raptors’ woes against top teams are becoming an increasingly worrying indicator that they’ll struggle in the postseason.

Their recent results bear out this trend. Toronto is 3-3 in their last six games: The losses all came against teams in a playoff spot, while each win was against a team outside of the playoff picture.

Tonight, the Raptors will have their work cut out for them as they head to Minnesota to take on the 39-23 Timberwolves, at 8 p.m. EST on Sportsnet.

These two teams last faced each other about a month ago, when the Wolves won 128-126 led by a 30-point performance by Anthony Edwards. The Wolves have been especially hot since the All-Star break, winning seven of their last eight games. Meanwhile, the Raptors could be without their top scorer as Brandon Ingram is questionable with a thumb injury.

Ingram scored 25 and was a +2 in their loss against the Wolves. And following Tuesday’s loss to the Knicks, in which Toronto came within two points with six minutes left only to end up losing by 16, Ingram spoke about the need to overcome their persistent issues executing in the fourth quarter.

“I think every time we play a good team, they know exactly where they want to go in the fourth quarter, and they do it over and over again,” Ingram said.

He added, “The good thing is, we’re in the games. But we got to figure out how to finish the game.”

That fourth quarter execution issue was on full display when the Wolves overcame an 18-point deficit to beat the Raptors in February.

The Raptors may be down their top scorer in their rematch against the Wolves, but they’ll have a new weapon for the rematch: Jakob Poeltl missed that first game and will be active tonight. While sometimes looking diminished as he returns from his back injury, Poeltl has been valuable for the offense as a screener, and his size will be key in matching up against Rudy Gobert. Collin Murray-Boyles remains out.

The Raptors have some things to clean up outside of fourth quarter execution. Their defense looked at times lethargic against the Knicks, and they made a number of mistakes and miscommunications that led to rapid scoring opportunities that may very well have cost them the game.

The Timberwolves have the league’s sixth-rated defense which features Gobert, a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate/winner down low, and Jaden McDaniels, one of the league’s premier perimeter defenders. The Timberwolves have also added guard Ayo Dosunmu since their last matchup.

Scottie Barnes may need to shoulder a larger offensive load if Ingram is out – and he may also draw the assignment of guarding Edwards, one of the league’s most dynamic and athletic scorers.

It won’t be easy for the Raptors. But if they want to change the narrative about facing good teams, they’ll have to win some tough ones.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-g...the-leagues-top-teams-can-they-beat-minnesota

 

[Toronto Raptors]

The Toronto Raptors have no choice but to defeat the Dallas Mavericks

DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 26: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on October 26, 2025 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 Sam Hodde/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Before a single possession takes place on the court, the Toronto Raptors are already expected to beat the Dallas Mavericks at home on Sunday.

At least that’s what the Raptors fan base believes, especially after being held hostage by exceeded expectations and a timeline that’s regrettably ahead of schedule.

Simply put – the NBA’s lone Canadian franchise isn’t very good against competitive teams.

Fine then.

But that means the Raptors can’t drop games against the bottom dwellers of the league. Their fragile lead over the play-in team is in danger of slipping away. With the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets awaiting them later this month, the Raptors desperately need to take care of business against lower-ranked teams.

That begins with defending home court against the Mavericks, even if Cooper Flagg overcomes his questionable tag before the 6:00 p.m. EST tip-off on Sportsnet.

The last time the Raptors dropped a game to a team below .500 was in a 121-117 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Jan. 16. Former fun guy Kawhi Leonard sat the game out with a right ankle sprain, but James Harden bullied the Raptors defence and finished with 31 points and 10 assists. When adjusting the bar to a slightly lower level, the Raptors haven’t lost to an opponent currently in a playoff or play-in spot since falling 138-117 to the Washington Wizards on Dec. 26.

Since their last meaningful victory over a playoff staple – a 103-101 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder back on Jan. 25 – the Raptors have struggled mightily in the second half. Toronto is 3-5 in the third and fourth quarters against playoff teams during this stretch. Often, it’s a disastrous third quarter that leads to a comfortable final frame for the opponent, or it’s a Raptors meltdown in back-end of the fourth quarter.

For most supporters who have followed the team this season, it’s a script that’s repetitive in the worst possible way. It feels like the Raptors are destined to lose in the opening round of the post-season. It’s like Toronto is on a collision course that can be seen before the car leaves the driveway.

But despite the doom and gloom, there’s still basketball to be played, and the Raptors aren’t necessarily firing on all cylinders (yet).

Centre Jakob Poeltl’s minutes are back to where they should be. The Austrian big man is averaging 27.4 minutes in his last five games. However, there’s still ample room for improvement. Poeltl is often good for a double-double in roughly half the games he appears in. Still, he only has one double-double in seven games since returning from injury on Feb. 11. With Collin Murray-Boyles already ruled out due to a thumb sprain, it’s imperative that Poeltl quickly works his way back to full strength. The rookie performed admirably in the veteran’s presence, and Poeltl returning the favour would go a long way in sustaining the Raptors’ lifeline.

With Brandon Ingram listed as questionable, it’s important for Scottie Barnes to summon the aggression he showcased earlier in the 2025-26 campaign. Barnes’ February numbers (and his two-game sample size in March) are down across the board in comparison to his season averages. His three-point shooting is the most glaring downward spiral, but that’s been a concern since early January. The bigger red flag is the rebounding totals. Since the All-Star break, Barnes has averaged 3.3 rebounds against playoff teams. That’s a drastic dip from the eight boards he averages on the season. Understandably, it’s also affecting his assist numbers since he’s initiating fewer breakouts.

Historically, Barnes is the type of player that goes as his team does. The best version of Barnes have arguably come during his rookie season, when he was surrounded by championship-level auxiliary players, and earlier this year when the Raptors were one of the hottest teams in the NBA. But when the Raptors struggle, Barnes does as well. If he can eventually tap into a state where he can consistently will Toronto to victories, it’ll help the team stay afloat in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-g...-no-choice-but-to-defeat-the-dallas-mavericks

 

[Toronto Raptors]

‘Pressure is a Privilege’ becomes Toronto Raptors late season mindset

TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 8: Klay Thompson #31 of the Dallas Mavericks drives against RJ Barrett #9 of the Toronto Raptors during the second half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on March 8, 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

With 20 games left in the regular season, the Toronto Raptors are in an interesting position. Currently 5th in the Eastern Conference standings, the idea that they will be playing in the postseason is pretty much confirmed. Whether or not they have to endure the NBA Play-In tournament, though, isn’t decided one way or another. They would have to drop lower than sixth in the standings to have to compete in the Play-In, but with a tough schedule still ahead of them, their 5th-place spot isn’t as cushioned as they’d like it to be.

That adds a little bit of pressure onto the team in March and April — a concept the Raptors haven’t had to deal with in a few years. They haven’t played in a playoff series since the 2022 season (Scottie’s rookie year), and one other time since then, in a pretty entertaining but still ultimately bad play-in game that resulted in a loss. Since then, this time of year has felt more like a slow descent into lottery odds than a buildup to the postseason for the team. This year changes things, as it looks like the Toronto Raptors will be competing past the regular season.

At the Raptors’ practice on Saturday, the idea that the pressure was building instead of waning was literally giving Darko Rajakovic goosebumps. “Pressure is a privilege,” he said, quoting the great Billie Jean King (apt for International Women’s Day). Yet, that also means that the Raptors have higher expectations, and their recent play since the All-Star Break has not been very indicative of a team looking to rise above their station. They came into this game on Sunday having lost four of their last five games.

Rajakovic was very vocal about Saturday’s practice being particularly good. When asked what was so good about it, Scottie Barnes told the media that their team was really communicating and holding each other accountable for their recent slump. They didn’t like how they had performed in their last games, and knew they could do better. That’s the beauty of having more than a day off in between games, especially so deep into the season, you have more time to address slumps or mistakes.

Sunday’s home game proved that whatever they did on Saturday worked. The Raptors acheived a wire-to-wire win over the Dallas Mavericks, which was expected, but obviously still needed to be earned. Every win is important this time of the year, as the conversation now shifts into playoff placement and more importantly, avoiding the Play-In. Home court advantage would also be fun, but let’s not get too ahead of ourselves in the first year back into the postseason picture. Making the postseason alone is enough progress for this year.

Toronto took Sunday’s game 122-92 over Dallas, with RJ Barrett scoring a game-high 31 points in the game. Darko though, was more impressed with Barrett’s defence, saying that the more Barrett locks in defensively, the more energy he has on the other end. Barrett agreed with him, saying the more energetic he is on defense, the more focused on the game he feels. Darko also stated the emphasis he put on his team to take care of the basketball, after turnovers have been an issue over the past week.

Barrett confirmed that their good practice from Saturday was a huge reason why they competed the way that they did today. He himself hit a milestone today, scoring his 8,000th career point, which he reflected on after the game. As one of only a select group of Canadians to achieve that milestone, he added “doing it for the Raptors is more special.”

Whatever energy Saturday’s practice held — whether it be the closeness of the postseason, the crisp spring air coming into Toronto this weekend, or just a desire to be better — they need to hold onto that. The Raptors will head out onto the road to play Houston and New Orleans this week before comign back home Friday night.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/general/49504/toronto-raptors-dallas-mavericks-playoffs-push-nba

 

[Toronto Raptors]

The Toronto Raptors and Houston Rockets are facing similar issues

TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 29: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets dribbles against RJ Barrett #9 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half at Scotiabank Arena on October 29, 2025 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 Kevin Sousa/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Time is ticking for the Toronto Raptors.

With 19 games remaining in their regular-season schedule, the Raptors don’t have significant runway left to prove they’re more than their reputation.

Toronto beats up on non-playoff teams. They struggle against teams destined to compete for a playoff spot.

That’s not a bad spot to be in for a team supposedly in year two of a rebuild. But for an organization that prioritized getting away from the luxury tax at the trade deadline, being stuck in the middle is a precarious position.

Eleven of the Raptors’ remaining opponents are above .500, with seven teams currently holding onto playoff spots.

Toronto’s next opportunity to strengthen its resistance to criticism comes against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday.

Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. on TSN.

Houston, we have the same problems​

The Raptors and the Rockets have more in common than they think. For starters, their respective population totals mirror each other. Toronto’s metropolitan numbers measure at 7.1 million, while the actual city clocks in at 2.7 million. Meanwhile, Houston has 7.8 million people in its metro area and a city population of 2.3 million.

Both cities are generally viewed as “the other” in sports media. For example, the NFL’s Houston Texans are treated like a side note during playoff broadcast scheduling. Like the Raptors, the Texans often deal with being put on a side channel or network in the early afternoon for the first round of the post-season.

Returning to NBA discourse, Houston is also facing fraud allegations. Like the Raptors, the Rockets have problems that go beyond the fit of their All-Star duo.

In their last ten games, five of six wins have come against teams below the .500 mark. Houston’s four losses have come against the San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat and the New York Knicks.

They’ve also struggled with second-half and fourth quarter meltdowns. The Rockets’ defence allowed 76 points in the second-half against the Spurs in their last game. New York also overcame an 18-point deficit with a 33-15 fourth quarter.

Similar to the Raptors’ situation, the Rockets are trying to manage their centre position on a day-by-day basis. Without Steven Adams, Rockets Head Coach Ime Udoka has turned to an undersized group featuring Alperen Sengun, Kevin Durant, Tari Eason, and Jabari Smith. They also get an added boost from rebound-friendly wings like Amen Thompson and Dorian Finney-Smith.

Listed at six-foot-10, Clint Capela is arguably their best defensive big man, but he has struggled to find consistent minutes.

The value in playing care-free​

One of the best things that could have happened for the Raptors’ overall psyche was the passing of the trade deadline and All-Star game. Whatever agendas or insecurities that existed beforehand – for the players, coaching staff and front office – no longer have reason to exist.

Simply put, everyone on the roster can lock in on pushing this ship as far as it’ll go.

If the Raptors make considerable strides between now and the playoffs, it’ll be due to the impact of RJ Barrett and Gradey Dick.

Barrett’s 31-point game against the Dallas Mavericks was reminiscent of the type of performances regularly associated with his name before the early-season injuries. His role as an “innings-eater” type of reliever for an offence often plagued by droughts is invaluable.

While it was encouraging to see Dick get meaningful minutes against the Mavericks, he needs to rediscover his outside shooting. Dick is 3-for-16 in the last 11 games. Raptors fans have seen him be a hustle-type of scorer in the past, but that’s not what this particular roster needs.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-g...and-houston-rockets-are-facing-similar-issues

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Team Canada Women’s World Cup Qualifier Preview

LILLE, FRANCE - AUGUST 04: ca2 during the Women's Group Phase - Group match between of Team Canada and Team Nigeria on day nine of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Pierre Mauroy Stadium on August 04, 2024 in Lille, France. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

While we wait for any news regarding the WNBA and WNBPA coming to terms on a new CBA, women’s basketball will be heading to the international stage. This week, four separate FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifier tournaments will be taking place in France, China, Turkey and Puerto Rico. Canada’s team will head to Turkey to compete for a spot in September’s World Cup in Germany.

After a disappointing group stage exit from the 2024 Paris Olympics, Team Canada underwent a coaching staff change on both the men’s and women’s sides. For the women’s team, Canada hired Nell Fortner, former NCAA, WNBA and Team USA coach — a proven winner with a ton of experience on every level. In her first tournament with Canada Basketball, Fortner led Canada to a bronze medal finish at the AmeriCup last summer. This week’s tournament will be the first time Fortner, joined by assistants Christie Sides, Carly Clarke and Marlo Davis, will be coaching the team’s WNBA stars.

Canada has high hopes of returning to the podium at the World Cup this fall after placing 4th at the last World Cup in 2022. With high expectations and a stacked roster, this week will be both a test of the new system and an assessment of Canada’s talent pool.

Tournament Format: Who advances to the World Cup?​

With four tournaments around the world, 16 teams will advance to the World Cup tournament by next week. Five already have — the host team, Germany, as well as the winners of the four continental tournaments from last year. Team USA won the Americup, Belgium won Eurobasket, Australia won the Asia Cup, and Nigeria won Afrobasket. Those five teams will still compete in qualifier tournaments, but will do so without pressure, since they qualify no matter what.

The four tournaments are as follows:

France:

• France
• Colombia
• Phillippines
• Germany*
• South Korea
• Nigeria*

China:

• China
• Mali
• South Sudan
• Brazil
• Belgium*
• Czechia

Turkey:

• Turkey
• Canada
• Hungary
• Argentina
• Australia*
• Japan

Puerto Rico

• Puerto Rico
• USA*
• Senegal
• New Zealand
• Italy
• Spain

* notes teams that have already qualified for the World Cup

In the end, four teams from each of these groups will end up making it to the World Cup. That includes the one team that has already qualified, and then the three other top teams at the end of the tournament. In the France group, since there are already two teams that have qualified, only two other countries will qualify.

It’s pretty simple: to make it to the World Cup, finish this week’s tournament in the top three of your group (among teams that haven’t qualified).

Canada’s Roster​

Canada has selected 12 players to represent in Turkey this week. Due to timing, Canada’s WNBA stars are able to participate, but someone like Syla Swords (who competed at the Olympics) cannot make the trip due to the NCAA postseason. A few NCAA stars like Swords (Michigan), Avery Howell (Washington), Delaney Gibb (BYU) and more have been with the Senior National Team for camps and tournaments over the past few years. While they are not on this roster, expect them to at least be in the mix when it comes to the World Cup roster, should Canada qualify.

Here is the roster in Turkey this week:

• Kayla Alexander
• Niyah Becker
• Bridget Carleton
• Shay Colley
• Faith Dut
• Aaliyah Edwards
• Yvonne Ejim
• Sami Hill
• Shaina Pellington
• Kia Nurse
• Merissah Russell
• Tara Wallack

Kia Nurse, Bridget Carleton, and Aaliyah Edwards all played in the WNBA in 2025. Nurse most recently played in Athlete’s Unlimited, Edwards had a great Unrivaled season, and Carleton has been playing in Hungary. Ejim was drafted to the Indiana Fever in the 2025 draft, participating in training camp before being waived, and played at Gonzaga before that, now playing pro in Spain. Sami Hill, Shay Colley and Kayla Alexander have been mainstays and leaders of the program over the past few years. Most of Canada’s roster plays professional basketball overseas.

In terms of depth, it’s a solid and well-balanced effort. Colley, Hill, and Pellington will likely take on the point guard role, and don’t be shocked if Fortner rotates who starts over the week. Alexander and Edwards, of course, lead the front court, and Ejim and Wallack are strong forwards. Carleton and Nurse are the team’s primary wings, but they are also incredibly important on the defensive end.

Schedule and Match Ups​

Canada’s tournament schedule is as follows, with all games on TSN:

• Wednesday March 11 vs Turkey at 12:30 pm EST
• Thursday March 12 vs Hungary at 9:30 am EST
• Saturday March 14 vs Argentina at 9:30 am EST
• Sunday March 15 vs Japan at 9:30 am EST
• Tuesday March 17 vs Australia at 9:30 am EST

In terms of matchups, Australia, Japan, and Hungary pose the biggest threats to Canada, while Turkey and Argentina should be easier games. That being said, Argentina almost beat Canada for the bronze medal in the AmeriCup, but the Argentinians played exceptionally well in that one-point game. Turkey has Kennedy Burke, their sole allowed naturalized player, so that’s someone to keep an eye on as well.

Hungary has Dorka Juhasz — former UConn Husky and currently under contract with the Minnesota Lynx — in the frontcourt, but Canada can breathe easier knowing Bernadette Hatar will not be competing this time around. Hungary has a pair of 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-5 centers in Virag Takacs-Kiss and Kinga Josepovits to keep in mind as well. Keeping Alexander and Edwards out of foul trouble against Hungary will be important.

Japan poses an almost opposite effect — they shoot the lights out from three. Relying on speed, ball movement, and distance shooting, Canada’s perimeter defence will need to be locked in to slow down the Japanese team.

Australia, of course, is a superpower. Coached by Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello, Australia’s team has the most amount of WNBA talent outside of Team USA. Ezi Magbegor is the crafty and athletic forward from Seattle, and Alanna Smith just won an Unrivaled Championship, and has carved herself a solid spot on the Minnesota Lynx team in recent seasons. Sami Whitcomb is a veteran shooter, and Jade Melbourne is a rising young guard in the WNBA. Canada’s match-up with Australia comes with the caveat that Australia’s performance doesn’t really matter, since they’ve already qualified. Plus, in the last game of the tournament, maybe Brondello goes a little deeper into her bench. Canada will have their hands full, regardless.

Canada’s Strengths and Weaknesses​

For Canada to secure one of the three available bids to the World Cup, there are a few keys to their performance.

Canada’s biggest strength with this roster is 100% their front court, and their success will come when they play through Kayla Alexander. Alexander is a bucket under the hoop, and getting the ball to her again and again is so important. Against teams where they have the size advantage, she will be a cheat code. Against teams like Australia and Hungary, her ability to draw fouls could help Canada’s chances a lot.

This is also going to be Aaliyah Edwards’ first FIBA tournament in a while, and she’s developed as a professional in so many ways since 2024. Her ability to rebound and score under the net will be huge, and she’s always had masterful footwork. Using her natural physicality will be key.

One thing this iteration of Canada’s team can struggle with is shooting. They will lean a lot on Bridget Carleton for that, but also Hill, Nurse, and Colley. Back in the summer of 2025, before the AmeriCup, Coach Fortner made each of her players shoot 100 three-point shots at the end of every practice, placing importance on remedying that skill. At the time, she also placed a ton of importance on playing through the team’s defence, something they will need to lock into this week.

Ultimately, Canada has a pretty good shot at making it through this tournament and into the World Cup. The changes they have made over the past year in coaching, culture, and strategy have all been to make moments like this easier. This tournament will be a good gauge of where Canada’s women’s program is at a time when they want to be ramping up for the World Cup and, eventually, the 2028 Olympics.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/canadian-...eam-canada-womens-world-cup-qualifier-preview

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Uh oh. Now the Raptors are losing to bad teams, too.

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 11: Dejounte Murray #5 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives to the basket during the game against the Toronto Raptors on March 11, 2026 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The predominant narrative surrounding the Toronto Raptors lately has been that they struggle against good teams while beating up on the bad ones.

The good news from tonight is that the Raptors broke free from that pattern. The bad news? Well, you know the bad news.

The New Orleans Pelicans, who entered the game with a 21-45 record, handed the Raptors a 122-111 loss — their first loss to a sub-.500 team since January 16.

To put it bluntly, this was bad. Really, really bad. And as TSN’s Josh Lewenberg put it, the upstart 2013-14 Raptors vibes are starting to give way to darker, ultimately disappointing 2014-15 Raptors vibes.

The team is now 4-6 in their last 10 games. At 36-29, they find themselves in the East’s seventh seed, right back in the cursed play-in spot where they languished for a couple years before trading away/losing the Siakam/Anunoby/VanVleet core.

Some of the Raptors’ weaknesses were on full display in this one. They shot just 14/44 from behind the arc, missing a bunch of great looks down the stretch that would’ve kept them in it. They also lost the size matchup, and were outrebounded 62-48. They turned the ball over 11 times, which is solid — but there were some bad, fully avoidable ones in the mix thanks to some sloppy play.

This game had plenty of bad moments. Notably, there was Yves Missi’s monster block leading to a Zion Williamson windmill dunk that had us lamenting the Keshad Johnson/Jase Richardson dunk contests.

But perhaps the most disheartening moment of the loss was when Dejounte Murray punked Jamal Shead after he dropped him and hit a three to make it 119-101. Sure, the game was over by that point — but nobody other than Immanuel Quickley seemed remotely bothered by Murray taunting Shead so profusely. The Raptors have long been in desperate need of better shooters. But that moment accentuated the team’s need for some Dudes Who Are Nasty (that’s the scientific term).

DEJOUNTE MURRAY DROPPED JAMAL SHEAD, KNOCKED DOWN THE 3, AND STARTED TWEAKING



pic.twitter.com/kjnIdkHgXm

— Hater Report (@HaterReport) March 12, 2026

This was not the return to New Orleans that Brandon Ingram had in mind. Ingram played a solid individual game, scoring 22 points along with six rebounds, five assists and four steals. Quickley was also carrying the team at times, and finished with 25 points on 8/14 shooting.

But overall this was an underperformance.

Scottie Barnes was held to just nine points, and returned to his shooting slump with a ⅙ three-point shooting night. He made no field goals in the second half.

The first half wasn’t great — you’d like to be beating the Pelicans — but the Raptors were down just 60-58 at the half.

Then the Pelicans blew the doors off. They capitalized on a Raptors scoring drought to take an eventual 88-70 lead, picking up an Ingram frustration technical foul along the way. Despite getting their heads bashed in within a couple minutes of the quarter starting, Darko Rajakovic did not call a timeout until the 4:47 remaining mark, by which point the Raptors were down by 15. Rajakovic went with Jamison Battle to try and get some shooting on the floor, but it took another couple minutes to stop the bleeding.

It also took the Raptors a full three quarters to match Bam Adebayo’s scoring total last night (83). (2005-06 Raptors, you are relieved of your duties!)

Thanks to a couple timely Shead threes and some defensive stops, the Raptors had closed the gap to 93-83 by the end of the quarter. With a quick flurry out of the fourth quarter gate — a Quickley three and an RJ Barrett fastbreak layup — they brought the lead down to 93-88. It seemed that the Raptors had weathered the storm and would have essentially a whole quarter to make up the five-point deficit.

But the jaws of defeat were strong.

The Pelicans benefited from a great shooting night, going 14/29 (48%) from beyond the arc. Murray, of punking Shead fame, played a great game, scoring 27 points with five boards and six assists. Trey Murphy scored 27 points and went ⅝ from three — some of which were more open than you’d like, thanks to some lagging defensive rotations. Herb Jones dropped 16 and shot 4/6 from three. Yves Missi was more physical than Jakob Poeltl, picking up 10 rebounds and two blocks in just 19 minutes.

There aren’t many excuses for this performance. The Raptors were about as healthy as it gets, with only rookie Collin Murray-Boyles missing from the rotation. And yes, they were on the second night of a back-to-back on the road. But this game was on the schedule as one that the team ought to win.

Instead, they were thoroughly embarrassed by one of the league’s worst teams — and now, the Raptors are on the outside of the playoff picture looking in.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-s...h-now-the-raptors-are-losing-to-bad-teams-too