Last night the Raptors dropped a 130-120 game on the road in Philadelphia. The 76ers turned the heat up and Toronto couldn’t quite keep pace. While the outcome stung, there were take-aways that matter moving forward.
Big Highlights from the Game
- For Philadelphia, Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points and drove play with seven assists. ESPN.com+1
- Also for the 76ers, Joel Embiid added 29 points, looking himself in 26 minutes of action.
- A big moment: Trendon Watford exploded with a triple-double in his first start: 20 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists. Liberty Ballers+1
- On the Raptors side, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley both scored 22 points in the loss.
- Toronto’s road scoring was solid (120 points is nothing to sneer at), but defence and consistency at key moments let the lead slip.
What Went Wrong & What It Means
The Raptors showed they can put up the points, even in a difficult environment, but the 76ers were more efficient, more dynamic, and made the big plays when Toronto needed to lock in. Giving up a triple-double and nearly 130 points shows where the gaps still are: defensive rotations, limiting second-chance points, and closing out tight stretches.
This season has started off better in many ways than last year, but this game reminded us: the jump from “competitive” to “consistent contender” still has work to be done.
Where Things Stand
With this loss, the Raptors moved to 5-5 on the season while the 76ers improved to 6-3.
That .500 mark isn’t cause for celebration, but given where Toronto was last year at this point, the direction is positive. The narrative is improving, the team is getting harder to dismiss.
What’s Next & What Fans Should Keep an Eye On
The Raptors return home for their next game, which will be a chance to reset, refocus and show if they’ve learned from this one. What to watch for:
- Will the defence bounce back and show more discipline?
- Will Barrett, Quickley, Barnes and Ingram keep the offence humming and spread the load?
- Can Toronto protect leads better, avoid stretches where they allow momentum to shift?
- How will the bench react after a tough outing? Depth will help determine how far this season goes.
Final Thoughts
Yes, the loss stung, but for fans, the takeaway is this: the Raptors are in more games, showing flashes, growing through mistakes instead of collapsing under them. While last night’s result wasn’t the one we wanted, the signs are there that this team is moving in the right direction.
Stay engaged, keep the faith, and watch how the Raptors respond because the way a team rebounds from a loss can tell us a lot about just how serious they are.
👏 Let’s Go Raptors 👏
