Last night the Toronto Raptors fell 123 to 120 to the Los Angeles Lakers here at home at the Scotiabank Arena, and it ended with a buzzer beater you will not forget. Rui Hachimura drilled a corner three off a LeBron James assist as time expired to turn a tough, tightly fought night into a one possession heartbreak. Even though it stung, I walked away proud of how the team competed.
What Happened
The game swung back and forth, but the Lakers got the hot hand late and Austin Reaves poured in a season-high scoring night to carry them. Toronto rallied multiple times in the second half and even held the lead in the fourth before the Lakers answered. In the end it came down to one possession and Hachimura’s clutch shot. That finish does not erase all the good things we saw from the Raptors, but it sure leaves a bruise.
Big Performances and Standouts
- Austin Reaves was unstoppable, leading the Lakers with 44 points and driving most of their late offence.
- Rui Hachimura hit the game winner at the buzzer and finished with double digits for LA. Deandre Ayton also chipped in inside and helped the Lakers control the paint.
- For Toronto Scottie Barnes nearly posted a triple double, finishing with 23 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists, and he was literally everywhere: attacking, rebounding and creating. Brandon Ingram was a steady scoring presence and kept the Raptors in it down the stretch. Gradey Dick played and contributed after his earlier scary fall, and the bench kept chipping in. Those collective efforts made this game winnable.
Injuries and Availability Notes I Verified
The Raptors were missing RJ Barrett, and Jakob Poeltl did not play in this game. The club was cautious with minutes and managing bumps during a packed stretch. Having those two out mattered on both ends of the floor, especially on the glass and late possession matchups. I checked the official gamebook and pregame reports to confirm those absences.
Where That Left the Standings
Even after this loss the Raptors stayed near the top of the East. As of last night their record was 15 and 8 and they were sitting in the upper tier of the conference standings. They were a few games behind the first place team, so the climb to the top was still doable, but the margin meant every game mattered from here on out. The simple reality: they had to limit games like last night where early holes and rebounding deficits forced them into comeback mode.
What Needs to Happen Next
A few clear, practical fixes jumped out:
- Win the rebound battle more often. The Raptors gave the Lakers too many second chance looks at times. Box out fundamentals and energy on the glass will be critical to tighten that margin.
- Clean up the early starts. Getting out of the gate ready to play would avoid digging holes in hostile or big name matchups.
- Keep the bench contributions consistent. Depth was a reason the Raptors stayed in this game; maintaining that will be essential when the schedule gets heavier.
What’s Next for Toronto
The Raptors had a quick turnaround and were set to host the Charlotte Hornets in the next game. That is a chance to regroup in front of the Scotiabank crowd, get some bodies right, and flip the narrative back to winning. It was the perfect spot to reset, show the character we saw last night, and take care of business.
Final Thoughts from a Long Time Fan
I have spent seasons riding roller coasters with this team, and I know how a single loss can be blown up into doom in the internet age. Last night was heartbreaking, sure. But I am proud of how this roster fought. Scottie Barnes played like a leader, the bench answered, and this organization kept showing the resilience that turned a shaky October into a serious season.
If they shore up the rebounds, limit careless possessions, and avoid slow starts, this was a bump, not a trend. Imagine how much better they will be in the spring if they keep learning and improving the details now. I am still excited, still invested, and still believing.
👏 Let’s Go Raptors 👏
