Last night the Toronto Raptors suffered a rough 111 to 86 loss to the Charlotte Hornets here at home at the Scotiabank Arena. The score looked ugly by the final buzzer, but before anyone hits the panic button let me say this: I am still proud of how the group is growing this season. Charlotte had one of those hot shooting nights and Toronto just could not match their touch.
What happened
The Hornets came ready to play and opened a runaway second quarter that Toronto never recovered from. Charlotte shot efficiently, got strong production from their shooters, and forced some looks the Raptors could not convert. Toronto tried to rally in the third but Charlotte kept answering and the visitors rolled to the win. It was one of those games where everything clicked for the opponent and nothing did for the home team.
Bright spots for Toronto
Even on nights like this there were things to hold onto. Immanuel Quickley scored a season high 31 points and was a bright spot offensively, showing the kind of scoring punch that can carry a team in tight spots. Scottie Barnes gave effort on both ends and added double-figure scoring. Gradey Dick played and got minutes, and that experience matters as he continues to find his footing after the earlier hard fall. These pieces are why I am still excited about the season.
What Charlotte did to win
The Hornets’ shooting was the story. Kon Knueppel knocked down five three-pointers on his way to 21 points and added playmaking. Tidjane Salaun also poured in a big scoring night off the bench. Miles Bridges provided physicality and rebounds that kept Charlotte in control. When you allow an opponent to get hot like that it magnifies any of your own mistakes and the Raptors paid the price.
Standings check: Are the Raptors still second in the East?
Yes! Even after this loss the Raptors remained near the top of the Eastern Conference. As of last night the team was still sitting second in the East, roughly one game back of first place. One loss will not change the picture. To close that gap the Raptors need to keep winning the close ones, avoid nights where the opponent gets hot for a quarter, and keep protecting the paint on the glass.
What needs to happen next
A few clear areas stood out from the game: get back to consistent defence early, box out and limit second chance points, and share the scoring load so one cold night does not derail the offence. The roster has shown it can do those things. This game will sting but it also shows where small corrections can yield big improvements.
What’s next for the Raptors
The Raptors had a chance to reset quickly. Their next game is a home matchup with the Boston Celtics. That will be a measuring stick and an opportunity to show that last night was a brief stumble and not a trend. If Toronto brings the intensity and the details they showed earlier in the season, the fans at Scotiabank Arena will see a different result.
Final thoughts from a long-time fan
I have been through the rough seasons and the seasons of hope. This loss hurts in the moment but it does not erase how much this team has improved. Immanuel Quickley gave us a real performance to remember, Scottie Barnes kept competing, and Gradey Dick got valuable minutes. We are still in a great spot in the East and I remain excited about what this core can be by spring if they keep learning and improving the small things. One bad night is not the season. I am proud of this group and I will be back at the arena cheering them on.
👏 Let’s Go Raptors 👏
