Buzzer Beater Stings but This Team Is Still Growing…
Last night the Toronto Raptors suffered one of the most gut-wrenching losses of the season, falling 106 to 103 to the Denver Nuggets at Scotiabank Arena when Brandon Ingram’s potential game-tying shot at the buzzer was overturned at 0.0 seconds. Even though it didn’t go Toronto’s way, there was a lot of fight in this group and plenty to be proud of.
How the Game Played Out
Denver came into Toronto without Nikola Jokić due to injury and still found a way to hold off the Raptors down the stretch. The Raptors played with energy from the opening tip, trailed early, climbed back into it, and got to a point where a buzzer-beater could have tied or won it. Unfortunately, the last shot did not fall. The margin was three points, but the effort was much closer to a win.
Big Performances
For Toronto:
- Brandon Ingram led the Raptors with 30 points, knocking down tough shots and making big plays throughout the game. His leadership and scoring kept Toronto in striking distance right to the final horn.
- Scottie Barnes had a monster all-around night with a second triple-double of the season, finishing with 20 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists. He was everywhere — rebounding, creating, defending and leading by example. That type of performance is exactly why this team is fun to watch.
- Immanuel Quickley contributed with seven assists and knocked down timely shots, helping keep Toronto’s offence fluid. Ja’Kobe Walter and Sandro Mamukelashvili also made important plays and provided bench energy that kept the Raptors competitive.
For the Nuggets:
- Peyton Watson led Denver with 24 points even without Jokić in the lineup, showing how deep their young wings have become.
- Jamal Murray was steady with 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
- Jonas Valančiūnas scored 17 points before exiting with an injury, providing size and interior presence that mattered.
Standings Check — Are the Raptors Still Near the Top?
Yes! Even with this tough setback, the Raptors remained competitive in the Eastern Conference. As of this game their record sat at 19 and 14, keeping them in the mix near the upper tier of the East. They were still not far off from second place and within reach of first. With the standings tight in the East, every win (even narrow losses like this) shapes the playoff picture.
To move up closer to first place, Toronto will need to string together a few wins in a row and hold serve in close games like this where the margin between winning and losing is razor thin.
What Needs to Happen Going Forward
Here’s what stood out from this game and what Toronto can improve:
- Get more consistent three-point shooting — when the Raptors stretch the floor effectively they become much harder to guard.
- Defensive rebounds and second-chance points — Denver had size and tenacity on the offensive glass, and limiting those extra possessions can swing close games.
- Finish strong in crunch time — this team has shown over and over that they belong in tight finishes. A few extra stops or a timely bucket here or there will flip games like this in their favour.
This club is not built on luck. They are built on effort, discipline and resilience.
Final Thoughts from a Long Time Fan
I’ve been around this franchise for seasons where near-wins felt like losses, and I can tell you: last night didn’t feel like collapse. It felt like a group that battled every second, made plays, and gave themselves a chance until the very end.
Brandon Ingram’s scoring, Scottie Barnes’ triple-double, and the energy from the bench were all reminders that this team can compete with top-of-the-league opponents, even when they are missing stars like Jokić.
Yes, losing at the buzzer hurts, but the way this Raptors roster keeps growing, keeps competing, and keeps showing that they refuse to quit gives me real hope for the spring. If they keep stacking these kinds of efforts, that belief will only get stronger.
👏 Let’s Go Raptors 👏
