Last night the Toronto Raptors played host to the New York Knicks and despite a spirited effort through three quarters, the Raptors fell 111 to 95 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on March 3, 2026. It was another tough night against a familiar nemesis, and this game extended a frustrating trend for Raptors fans.
Sadly for us, this loss marked the Knicks’ twelfth straight victory over Toronto, a streak that dates back several seasons and has become almost automatic whenever these two clubs meet.
How the Game Played Out
Toronto came out ready to compete, trading baskets early and staying within striking distance. The Raptors even had moments where it felt like they could dictate the pace, especially in the first half when they traded points effectively and kept things close, but once the third quarter ended, it became clear that New York’s attacking balance and defensive pressure were too much to overcome.
The Knicks started to pull away in the fourth quarter, eventually outscoring Toronto 24 to 13 in the final period to create the decisive separation. Toronto made it interesting at times, but could not sustain enough stops or timely scoring to complete a comeback.
Standout Performers
For the Raptors:
- Brandon Ingram led Toronto with 31 points, carrying the offense early and giving the Raptors a chance to stay in it through stretches.
- RJ Barrett contributed 20 points, staying aggressive and looking for his shots throughout the game.
- Scottie Barnes finished with 14 points, and Immanuel Quickley had 13 points and 12 assists, a reliable night of scoring and playmaking.
For the Knicks:
- Jalen Brunson was the catalyst for New York’s success, finishing with 26 points and 10 assists while running the offense with poise and decisiveness.
- Karl-Anthony Towns posted a strong double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds, providing inside scoring and physical presence on the boards.
- OG Anunoby scored 15 points against his former team, showing why he is a key piece in New York’s rotation.
- Josh Hart and Landry Shamet each chipped in 12 points, and Mikal Bridges added 11, giving the Knicks scoring from multiple spots.
Where the Raptors Stand in the East
With this loss the Raptors’ record moved to 35 wins and 26 losses and they remained a key playoff contender in the Eastern Conference. However, the Knicks improved to around 40 and 22 and cemented their status as one of the East’s toughest teams.
How close is Toronto to first place? At this point they were still several games behind the top seed, which was likely held by a team with more consistent elite performance (such as the Cavaliers, Pistons or Celtics) around this time of the season. To climb toward the top of the conference, the Raptors need:
- Stronger finishes in the fourth quarter of tight games
- Last night showed how tough it is when a team goes cold late.
- More consistency on both ends of the floor
- Limiting turnovers and defensive breakdowns will help keep losses closer or flip them into wins.
- Regular contributions from the full rotation
- Balanced scoring and energy from bench players can make the difference night in and night out.
Toronto still has time in the season to tighten things up and make a serious push. A few stronger stretches on the road and improved late-game execution could bump them up the standings quickly, but can they?
Fan Thoughts on a Frustrating Rivalry
This one stung because the Raptors fought through adversity and kept it competitive for more than three quarters. Ingram, Barrett and Quickley all played well, and Toronto actually outscored New York in the third quarter, but the Knicks’ late offensive push and defensive intensity were too much in the end.
Raptors fans have felt this rivalry slip away over the years, and the 12-game skid against New York only underscores how tough this matchup has been. But this group still shows resilience. They kept their heads up and competed down to the final whistle, even when the scoreboard got away.
If Toronto can start winning closer games like this instead of losing them (especially here at home), this team can keep climbing the Eastern Conference standings and stay in the mix for meaningful playoff positioning come April.
👏 Let’s Go Raptors 👏
