Last night the Toronto Raptors delivered a thrilling comeback win over the Orlando Magic, escaping with a 107 to 106 victory at Scotiabank Arena. This one was everything Raptors fans love and dread all at once: a big deficit, gritty fightback, clutch moments, and a finish that kept everyone on the edge of their seat.
How It Went Down
The Raptors found themselves in a big hole early, trailing by as many as 21 points before halftime. Orlando came out strong, with a hot third quarter that threatened to bury Toronto’s chances. But that is exactly when this Raptors group showed some serious heart and resilience. They chipped away slowly, tightened up defensively, and turned the momentum in their favour late in the fourth quarter.
It turned into a back-and-forth finish, but Toronto managed to do just enough to edge ahead at the end and seal the comeback in dramatic fashion.
Big Performances and Standouts
- Jamal Shead led the Raptors in scoring with a career-high 19 points, giving Toronto a spark and providing big buckets when they needed them most.
- Brandon Ingram added 17 points, often creating his own shot and helping keep the Raptors in the game during tough stretches.
- Scottie Barnes had a solid all-around night with 13 points and 11 rebounds, and he hit the game-winning free throws with 1 minute and 27 seconds to play to put Toronto ahead for good.
- Gradey Dick contributed 15 points off the bench, knocking down timely shots to keep the Raptors’ comeback alive.
- Sandro Mamukelashvili (13 points), Ochai Agbaji (10) and Ja’Kobe Walter (10) all chipped in important scoring and energy.
- Collin Murray-Boyles also impacted the glass with 12 rebounds.
- For Orlando, Anthony Black was hot in the third quarter with 16 of his 27 points coming in that frame, keeping the Magic ahead deep into the second half. Paolo Banchero flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 23 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists. Desmond Bane added 18 points, and Tyus Jones had 10 for the Magic.
Standings Reality Check — Are They Still Near the Top?
Yes!
Even with a few inconsistent nights, the Raptors remained competitive in the Eastern Conference standings heading into this game. That win brought them to around 19 and 14, keeping them firmly in the mix near the upper tier (including second place range) and not far behind first place. A tight Eastern Conference means every win matters, and this one helped Toronto stay close in the chase.
To keep that momentum and chase top seed status, the Raptors will need to keep tightening up defence early and limit big swings like the early deficit in this game.
What Needs to Happen Next
Looking forward:
• Start stronger from the opening tip-off so the team does not have to claw back from large holes.
• Continue balanced scoring from starters and second units alike. Last night showed how deep this roster can be when everyone contributes.
• Stay locked in defensively on transition and second-chance points, especially against teams that push the pace.
When they play like they did in that comeback stretch and in the final minutes, they are tough to beat!
Final Thoughts from a Long Time Fan
This win had everything Raptors fans dream of. A big hole turned into a big comeback, role players stepped up, and the leaders made clutch plays when it mattered most. Jamal Shead with his career night, Scottie Barnes hitting key free throws, Gradey Dick knocking down shots, and Brandon Ingram grinding through tough defence — that’s the kind of collective effort that makes this season feel exciting and real.
It’s fun again. It feels like this group has belief, fight, and depth. If they keep showing the heart they showed last night, I’m genuinely excited about how good they could be in the spring.
👏 Let’s Go Raptors 👏
