Raptors Republic
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The Raptors are being confronted with their flaws
Samson Folk and Trevon Heath break down the Toronto Raptors' recent struggles, highlighting the team's reliance on inconsistent performances from players like Poeltl and the lingering injury concerns for Leonard and Barnes. They question coach Rajakovic's decision‑making, especially after a disastrous loss to Boston that dropped the Raptors into a play‑in spot. While noting the potential for a turnaround with healthier stars and improved shooting, the authors warn the franchise has already staked its season on fixing deep‑seated flaws.
Barrett’s big night goes to waste as Raptors blow another lead
The Raptors squandered a 17‑point first‑quarter lead to fall 112‑123 to the Philadelphia 76ers, extending their losing streak to three. RJ Barrett exploded for a season‑high 31 points, 14 rebounds and five assists, while Immanuel Quickley added 26 points, but the rest of Toronto’s roster went silent. Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey led the comeback with 27 points, and Joel Embiid contributed 20 as the Sixers erased the gap in the second quarter and never looked back. Despite solid early defense on Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid, the Raptors' second‑half slump and turnovers proved costly.
Raptors vs. 76ers: The good, the bad, and the Colin
The Toronto Raptors fought hard in Philadelphia, posting season‑best numbers from Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett (both 25+ points) but ultimately fell short to a 76ers squad missing LeBron James. Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown out‑lasted the Raptors, who ran out of gas late. Highlight of the night was Collin Murray‑Boyles, whose two‑way effort limited Jaylen Brown’s efficiency. The recap also notes the Raptors’ lingering injuries, urging Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Barnes to return to full health.
Shorthanded Raptors 905 fight hard but get buried by Swarm
Raptors 905 fell 134-106 to defending G League champion Greensboro Swarm on Nov. 13 despite fighting hard while shorthanded. Injuries to Tyreke Key, Malachi Smith and Kevin McCullar Jr. forced the squad to sign Day Day Thomas, Brandon Muntu and Jasman Sangha on hardship contracts and play nine men. The 905 stayed within 13 at halftime and matched the Swarm in most stats except 3‑point shooting, but the Swarm surged to a 30‑point lead in the second half. Highlights included Jamarion Sharp’s four dunks and Olumide Adelodun’s hustle, but Greensboro’s Hannes Steinbach paced the game with 21 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks. Coach Noah Lewis praised the newcomers’ effort as the team looks to rebound against the Capital City Go‑Go on Saturday.
Quick Reaction: Raptors 112, 76ers 123
The Philadelphia 76ers beat the Toronto Raptors 123‑112 on Nov. 13, 2026. RJ Barrett leads Toronto with 31 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists in 37 minutes, showcasing a sharp offensive resurgence. Immanuel Quickley adds 26 points and six assists, while Collin Murray‑Boyles contributes 14 points and five blocks despite a -15 plus‑minus. For the Sixers, Joel Embiid dominates inside, and the Raptors struggle to contain Philly’s guard duo. Despite solid contributions from Jakob Poeltl (9 points, 5 rebounds) and Ja'Kobe Walter’s defensive effort, Toronto’s transition game falters, and the loss widens in the second half.
Gameday: Raptors @ 76ers, November 12th
The Raptors head into a back‑to‑back on Nov. 12 at Philadelphia, where a 5‑6 Toronto squad meets a hot 9‑3 76ers team. Scottie Barnes is listed as questionable with a groin strain, and his potential return could be the difference in defending Tyrese Maxey, who is averaging 26.7 points on 62% true‑shooting. The 76ers rely on elite defense and a massive frontcourt, but LeBron James and Joel Embiid are also doubtful. With Kawhi Leonard out and several other injuries, Toronto must lean on outside shooting and quick perimeter defense to keep the game close against a defensively stout Sixers. Tip‑off is 7 PM ET at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Raptors unable to close out against the Boston Celtics
The Toronto Raptors slipped below .500 after squandering a 22‑point second‑quarter lead against the Boston Celtics on Nov. 12, 2026. Boston rallied with a 14‑0 run before halftime and stayed within striking distance, ultimately winning 98‑?? (Celtics shot 41.1% and forced 18 turnovers). Key missed chances came late: Jamal Shead’s three missed the rim with 40 seconds left, and RJ Barrett’s layup was blocked with 20 seconds remaining. Offensively, Barrett, Quickley and Murray‑Boyles combined for just 28 points on 23% shooting, while Ja’Kobe Walter shone from deep (15 of 17 points beyond the arc). Despite the loss, bench contributions from Battle, Allen Graves and Alijah Martin were bright spots, and the Raptors now face the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Raptors’ loss to the Celtics was a trainwreck and a microcosm of the 2026-27 season
The Raptors’ 112‑106 loss to the Boston Celtics on Nov. 12 epitomizes a season spiraling out of control. Toronto exploded for ten first‑quarter threes, building a 20‑point lead thanks to Jamal Shead and RJ Barrett, but sloppy play, bad challenges and missed shots erased the advantage. Immanuel Quickley and Barrett combined for just 23 of 30 shots in the second half, with turnovers and poor defense handing Boston the comeback. Bench players posted positive plus‑minus, while veterans like Murray‑Boyles and Scottie Barnes underperformed, and Kawhi Leonard remains out with knee swelling. The game highlights the Raptors’ sub‑.500 trajectory and mounting doubts about their roster’s ability to turn things around.
Raptors vs. Celtics: The backcourt lost them the game
The Toronto Raptors squander a 22‑point advantage against the Boston Celtics after a sluggish night from backcourt duo RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. Rookie Allen Graves delivers his best performance yet, but Jayson Tatum leads the Celtics to a comeback victory. The post breaks down the game timeline, highlights Graves’ emergence, and examines why the Raptors’ guard play cost them the win.
Quick Reaction: Celtics 98, Raptors 93
The Raptors fall 98-93 to top‑seeded Celtics as Boston’s defense forces Toronto into a low‑percentage game. RJ Barrett leads with 12 points on 5‑of‑16 shooting, while Ja’Kobe Walter provides a spark with 17 points and 5‑of‑10 from deep. Jamison Battle (12) and Allen Graves (13) contribute key catch‑and‑shoot bursts in the first half, but foul trouble and poor shooting from Immanuel Quickley (11) and Collin Murray‑Boyles hinder the effort. Celtics dominate the paint with Jakob Poeltl’s 9 rebounds, sealing the win on November 12, 2026.
Raptors young guns try to drag veterans up to par in loss to Celtics
The Raptors, shorthanded without Scottie Barnes, Kawhi Leonard or Paul George, jumped out to a 38‑29 lead against the Celtics on Nov. 12, 2026 thanks to a hot start from rookie Ja’Kobe Walter (12 first‑quarter points) and strong 3‑point shooting (10‑of‑18). RJ Barrett facilitated early with five assists, but a flagrant foul by Collin Murray‑Boyles on Jayson Tatum sparked a 16‑0 Celtics run that erased the lead and left Toronto trailing by seven at halftime. A second‑half slump and missed shots from the starters allowed Boston’s defense to tighten, while Allen Graves' late put‑backs kept the Raptors in the game. The piece highlights the young squad’s burst of energy and the lapses that cost them the win.
Raptors 905 show resolve in barnburner opening-night win over Swarm
Raptors 905 kick off the season with a 120-112 win over the Greensboro Swarm on Nov. 12, 2026, under new head coach Noah Lewis and GM Scott Brown Jr. Tyreke Key leads the charge, dropping a career‑high 36 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter. Nimari Burnett adds athletic highlights, while Jamarion Sharp struggles against 14th‑overall pick Hannes Steinbach, who records 26 points and 16 rebounds. Backup center Tyson Degenhart sparks a halftime run with three key triples, and Malachi Smith contributes 23 points. The team maintains its high‑pace, pressure style while adjusting to roster changes and a newly named arena.
Gameday: Celtics @ Raptors, November 11
The Boston Celtics, sitting atop the Eastern Conference with a 9‑2 record and the league’s best defensive rating (98.6), host the struggling Toronto Raptors on Nov. 11. Toronto, 5‑5 and missing four of its top six rotation players—including Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Barnes—looks to lean on Jamal Shead, who posted a career‑high 16 assists and a 20‑point, 11‑assist game recently. The Raptors have won only once in the last 16 meetings and are on a five‑game losing streak against Boston. Meanwhile, the Celtics ride a 123‑101 win over the 76ers, showcasing elite three‑point shooting (44.9% in that game). With the Raptors’ three‑point shooting among the league’s worst, the odds favor a dominant Celtics performance at Scotiabank Arena, tip‑off 7 PM ET.
Raptors injury woes continue as Scottie Barnes sits out Celtics Game
The Toronto Raptors face a new setback as forward Scottie Barnes is ruled out of Wednesday’s matchup against the Boston Celtics with an adductor injury, marking his third consecutive miss. The loss comes alongside news that Kawhi Leonard remains in a reconditioning program after left‑knee swelling, with another update due in a week. Barnes has been a 23.5‑point, 7.6‑rebound, 5.1‑assist contributor in eight games, while the Celtics dominate the recent head‑to‑head record (9‑1). Coach John Calipari may turn to Collin Murray‑Boyles, though Immanuel Quickley and Nate Bittle also sit out with injuries.
Raptors announce latest on Kawhi Leonard’s recovery
The Toronto Raptors confirm Kawhi Leonard will miss at least another week as he continues reconditioning after left‑knee swelling treatment. Leonard, out for eight straight games, has averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals in just two appearances this season, shooting 32.4% overall. Toronto sits 2‑4 without him and faces a brutal stretch: Boston on Nov 11, Philadelphia on Nov 12, then back‑to‑back games with New York on Nov 15 and 17. Meanwhile, Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and Collin Murray‑Boyles are also listed as questionable, adding to the roster uncertainty.
Raptors’ shorthanded lineup can’t overcome Grizzlies’ hot shooting
Toronto fell to the Memphis Grizzlies despite a shorthanded roster that missed Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, Kawhi Leonard and Collin Murray‑Boyles. Kyle Anderson started at power forward, giving the Raptors their sixth lineup in ten games. Freshman Jamal Shead sparked the first quarter with 13 points and a perfect 3‑for‑3 from three, but RJ Barrett struggled, shooting 7‑for‑21 and finishing with just 19 points. Memphis, the NBA’s top road team at 4‑0 away, shot 53.2% overall and 47.1% from three, with Jamison Battle pouring in 14 points in the third quarter. Toronto’s three‑point shooting improved to 34% but remained poor, and defensive lapses allowed the Grizzlies to pull away for a win.
What are the Raptors learning during a nightmare stretch?
Samson Folk and Trevon Heath break down the Raptors' grim stretch, highlighting a 6‑3 loss to a fully‑healthy Memphis Grizzlies despite missing four of Toronto’s top five (Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, Collin Murray‑Boyles). They note the Raptors earned a moral victory but fell short of a full win, with RJ Barrett expected to step up. The piece also praises Jamal Shead’s 20‑point, 11‑assist performance, including a 28‑foot pull‑up and key defensive plays, as a rare bright spot in the turmoil.
Raptors vs. Grizzlies: Is Jakob Poeltl Back?!
The Raptors fall 16-0 to a high‑scoring Memphis line‑up led by Ty Jerome, Cam Boozer and Zach Edey, despite a late push from Jamal Shead, Jakob Poeltl and Jamison Battle. Injuries dominate the story as Toronto scrambles for health, hoping the breakout of Shead and Poeltl can spark a turn while they await the return of Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, Collin‑Murray‑Boyles and Kawhi Leonard, who just reappeared on the bench after a week rehabbing his left knee.
Quick Reaction: Grizzlies 118, Raptors 102
The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Toronto Raptors 118‑102 on Nov. 10, 2026. Rookie Kyle Anderson started for Toronto, posting 6 points and a block in 16 minutes, but left a wide‑open three for Cameron Booser. RJ Barrett led the Raptors with 19 points on 7‑of‑21 shooting, while Poeltl contributed 18 points, eight rebounds and four blocks despite looking slow. Jamal Shead shone with 20 points and 11 assists, showing why he’s a candidate for the starting point guard role. For Memphis, Jamison Battle sparked a third‑quarter surge with 18 points, including a perfect three‑point stretch, and Jakob Poeltl’s interior play helped secure the win.
Injured Raptors achieve their first moral victory of 2026-27, fall 118-102 to Grizzlies
Despite missing four of their top five players—including Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Barnes—the Toronto Raptors put up a spirited fight before falling 118-102 to a healthy Memphis Grizzlies (6-3). RJ Barrett’s limp shooting and several careless turnovers limited Toronto’s chances, but Jamal Shead shone with 20 points, 11 assists and two steals, while Jakob Poeltl dominated the boards and defensive drops. Memphis’s fast‑paced, defensive‑oriented play and superior rebounding proved decisive, turning the loss into a moral victory for the injury‑hit Raptors.
Zach Edey sends simple message ahead of Raptors matchup
Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey says his sole focus ahead of Monday’s game in Toronto is staying healthy and playing. The 7‑foot‑4 rookie, who has logged eight games this season with 8.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 20.5 minutes, already boasts a 17‑point, 15‑rebound average against the Raptors, shooting 70% from the floor. This will be only his second appearance in his hometown, where he’ll face a hot Jakob Poeltl, who posted a 19‑point, 11‑rebound double‑double last night. Edey’s recovery from ankle issues adds intrigue to the matchup.
Raptors 905 drop second straight after Smith’s buzzer-beater waived off
Raptors 905 fall 125-124 to the College Park Skyhawks after Malachi Smith’s buzzer‑beating jumper is overturned on a shot‑clock timing review, giving the G‑League club its second straight loss to start the 2026‑27 season. Smith finishes with 24 points, while Tyreke Key adds 23; both struggled amid 25 team turnovers and missing key players like Chucky Hepburn (hamstring). College Park’s trio of RayJ Dennis (30), Keon Johnson (22) and Jalen Wilson (27) exploited defensive lapses, hitting nine threes in the first half. Despite a strong second‑half rally and forced turnovers, the 905 couldn’t overcome the early miscues.
Raptors Stock Talk: Alijah Martin breaks out, Toronto’s slow starts, more
In this week’s Raptors Stock Talk, Alijah Martin earns a BUY rating after dropping a career‑high 27 points on 9‑11 shooting (6‑7 from three) off the bench versus the Milwaukee Bucks, showcasing scoring, defense and chemistry with guard Jamal Shead. Conversely, the Raptors’ first‑quarter offense gets a SELL as Toronto has allowed over 30 points in the opening period in three of its last four games, a trend the team can’t blame solely on injuries. RJ Barrett’s efficiency also sparks debate, but the focus remains on Martin’s breakout and the need to fix slow starts.
Gameday: Grizzlies @ Raptors, November 9
The Raptors return to Scotiabank Arena on Nov. 9 to face a hot‑starting Memphis Grizzlies. Toronto sits 5‑4, tied for fifth in the East, after a 121‑107 win over Milwaukee that featured Alijah Martin’s 27 points and Jamal Shead’s 16 assists. Memphis, 6‑3 and seventh in the West, comes off three straight losses but boasts Ty Jerome’s 26.6‑point average and rookie Cameron Boozer’s double‑double pace. Both teams deal with injuries: Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Barnes are listed questionable for Toronto, while Isaiah Stewart is out for Memphis. Tip‑off is 7:30 p.m. ET on SN.
What have the 2026-27 Raptors learned about their guard rotation?
The Raptors’ guard dilemma continues into 2026-27, with Immanuel Quickley emerging as the team’s most reliable "both‑and" player despite a career‑low 33.3% three‑point rate. Quickley’s defensive work and playmaking—averaging 0.95 points per pick‑and‑roll possession—outshine Jamal Shead, who posted 16 assists against the Milwaukee Bucks but stalls at 21.7% from deep and a league‑bottom scoring efficiency. RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes offer limited pick‑and‑roll value and isolation scoring, respectively. The article argues the Raptors need a guard who can contribute on both ends, and Quickley, while the best option, still falls short of a true lead‑guard profile.
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