Last night the Toronto Raptors climbed out of the Eastern Conference pile with a strong 115 to 101 win over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. From the opening minutes, the Raptors dictated the pace, built a big lead early, and held on even after a late Pacers push. It was a confident road performance that showed the depth and balance that has made this year exciting to watch.
How the Game Played Out
Toronto came out hot, opening up a 39 to 18 lead in the first quarter thanks to confident shooting and aggressive defence. The Pacers made a run later in the game and cut the lead to single digits, but key buckets from Toronto’s leaders halted the momentum and helped them pull away again. The Raptors never trailed at any point in the game, and they closed with authority.
Standout Performers
For the Raptors:
• Brandon Ingram was the leading scorer with 30 points and seven rebounds, knocking down timely shots and helping keep the energy high all night.
• Scottie Barnes had a massive all-around game with 26 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds, making an impact in every quarter.
• Gradey Dick came off the bench and delivered a huge night with 21 points and 11 rebounds, giving Toronto a big score boost when they needed it.
• Collin Murray-Boyles also recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, contributing on both ends.
For the Pacers:
• Pascal Siakam led Indiana in scoring with 26 points and 10 rebounds in a strong effort.
• Andrew Nembhard and Quenton Jackson each scored in double figures and helped keep the Pacers within striking range in the middle quarters.
Are the Raptors Still in the East Picture?
Yes. With this win the Raptors improved to 25 and 17 on the season, keeping them firmly in the hunt near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. They were not in first place at this point, but they remained within striking distance of the leaders and ahead of most of the teams chasing playoff positioning. Opportunities like this road win build momentum and credibility, and Toronto’s performance showed they can execute even when the opponent fights back.
To get closer to first place, the Raptors will want to sustain sharp defence early, continue to share the scoring efficiently, and avoid letdowns after building early leads.
What Needs to Happen Going Forward
Even in a good win there are clear takeaways for Toronto going forward:
• Keep the starts strong — dominating early in games sets the tone.
• Continue bench contributions — players like Gradey Dick and Collin Murray-Boyles gave a big lift that eased the load on the starters.
• Close out quarters together — when teams make a run, staying composed and calm makes all the difference.
If the Raptors stick to these principles, they can sustain and even build on their position in the East.
Final Thoughts From a Long Time Fan
This was the kind of road win Raptors fans have been craving. It was full of composed offence, shared ball movement, strong defence early, and leadership when the game tightened. Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes and Gradey Dick stepped up when it mattered, showing the balance and depth that make this roster fun and competitive.
Big leads are great. Big comebacks are thrilling. But controlled performances like last night’s show that this team is learning to win in all phases. I am excited about where this group is headed, and I am cheering every step of the way.
Last night the Toronto Raptors climbed out of the Eastern Conference pile with a strong 115 to 101 win over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. From the opening minutes the Raptors dictated the pace, built a big lead early, and held on even after a late Pacers push. It was a confident road performance that showed the depth and balance that has made this year exciting to watch.
👏 Let’s Go Raptors 👏
