The Raptors came out of the gate firing. On Wednesday night, they absolutely lit up the floor, posting a 138-118 blast past the Atlanta Hawks. That wasn’t just a win, it was a statement. In fact, the franchise set a new team record for points in a season opener.
Leading the pack was RJ Barrett with 25 points (9-of-12 shooting) plus eight rebounds and five assists. He not only got it done but did so efficiently.
Meanwhile, Scottie Barnes delivered 22 points and nine assists, showing his all-around value, and let’s not forget Brandon Ingram in his Raptors debut: 16 points and nine boards, a strong first showing stepping into this new chapter. The shot numbers told the story: Toronto shot 56.8 % overall, and an incredible 69 % on 2-pointers.
The Hawks simply couldn’t keep up. Moments like a 14-0 run at the end of the third quarter stretched the lead into “this game is over” territory.
The Big Picture: Where Things Stand
This season feels different. Coming off a 30-52 campaign last year, finishing 11th in the East. The Raptors are clearly looking to flip the script. One win doesn’t turn the ship, but this kind of win gives hope and energy.
After one game, the Raptors sit at 1 – 0. The opener signals they have more firepower than many gave them credit for, and a roster with some fresh energy and expectations.
What Made That Win So Special
👍 Depth showed up and not just the usual suspects. With seven players in double figures in that opener, it wasn’t a one-man show.
👍 The renewed offensive identity. Last season the Raptors struggled to score consistently; now they attacked the paint hard, ran transition, and looked confident.
👍 The new pieces arriving (and contributing).
👍 Ingram’s arrival, Barrett stepping up, Barnes growing into “franchise guy” territory, it all aligned in that game.
👍 Momentum. Starting strong matters. It gives this team belief and gives the fans something to latch onto.
What’s Up Next
After cruising past Atlanta, the Raptors’ next challenge is the Milwaukee Bucks at home. That will give Toronto a chance to show they can follow up the big opener with another high-level performance.
With the Atlantic Division wide open, and with Eastern Conference teams reshuffling, Toronto has an opportunity. The question: can they sustain the level of play, avoid sloppy games, and stay healthy?
Key Names to Watch & Storylines
👍 RJ Barrett — If he keeps shooting like that and adding rebounds/assists, he could hit a new level.
👍 Scottie Barnes — The assist numbers are growing, the all-around game is maturing.
👍 Brandon Ingram — His fit with this team will be a major storyline.
👍 Young players & bench depth as enough guys stepped up in the opener; development of the supporting cast will matter.
Can the defence match the offence? The opener was offence-heavy; keeping that balance will determine how far this can go.
Final Thoughts
That win the other night? It mattered. It didn’t guarantee a title run, but the pieces are in place, the tone has been set, and now it’s about consistency. If Toronto keeps bringing this level of play, this season will finally be fun again.
Stay tuned as the season unfolds, and we’ll see whether this was a flash of brilliance or the beginning of something more. Either way, for now, the Raptors delivered when it counted, and that’s exactly where you want to start.
👏 Let’s Go Raptors 👏
