The Toronto Raptors came up short last night in a tough 119 to 92 loss at home against the New York Knicks at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on January 28, 2026. After leading at halftime, the Raptors were worn down in the second half as the Knicks turned up their intensity, especially in the third quarter, and control slipped away in fairly decisive fashion.
This was a tough night for the Raptors, especially after riding a four-game winning streak early in the week. Toronto could not keep pace with a Knicks team that got contributions from multiple stars and outplayed them on both ends of the court.
How the Game Unfolded
Toronto started the game well, even outpacing New York in the first half and taking a small lead into the locker room. But in the third quarter the Knicks put together a furious 27-4 run that completely swung the momentum. That burst gave New York a double-digit lead they never relinquished. Toronto’s offence cooled off and the defence struggled to contain New York’s efficient scoring once the momentum shifted.
Standout Performances
For the Knicks:
• Mikal Bridges exploded for 30 points, including 19 in the third quarter, on efficient shooting to take over the game.
• OG Anunoby was a force with 26 points, six steals and two blocks, making a major impact on both ends.
• Josh Hart scored 22 points, adding another reliable scoring punch for New York.
• Jalen Brunson contributed 13 points despite dealing with an illness situation.
• Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 8 points and a season-high 22 rebounds, controlling the glass and extending possessions.
For the Raptors:
• Brandon Ingram led Toronto with 27 points, doing his best to keep the Raptors competitive and giving them offensive leadership.
• Scottie Barnes posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, showing effort everywhere.
• RJ Barrett scored 14 points, contributing in stretches on both ends.
• Gradey Dick added 11 points, bringing energy off the bench.
Despite flashes of strong play, the Raptors were undone by a decisive Knicks run and couldn’t recover down the stretch.
Where Toronto Stands in the Eastern Conference
With this loss the Raptors’ record fell to 29 and 20, keeping them near the middle of the top tier in the Eastern Conference standings. They were not in first place in the East after this game, and the gap to the top seed was several games at that point. Toronto remains in the hunt for strong playoff positioning, but losses like this one show there is work to be done to close the gap on the very best teams.
To rise closer to first place, the Raptors need to:
• Sharpen defensive consistency, especially after halftime.
• Improve shot selection and efficiency to avoid scoring droughts.
• Execute through adversity when teams make big runs like the Knicks did in the third.
If they tighten up those areas, they’re better positioned to climb higher in the East and keep strong seed possibilities alive.
Final Thoughts from a Long Time Fan
Some nights are reminders of how far a team still has to go. This was one of them. The Raptors competed early on, but the Knicks’ balanced attack and that huge third quarter run turned things emphatically in New York’s favour.
Seeing Bridges light it up and Anunoby fill the box score on both ends was an example of the kind of star-powered performance that can overshadow a good roster night. While Ingram, Barnes, and Barrett all fought hard, the Raptors just couldn’t match the Knicks’ production once momentum shifted.
This loss stung, especially in front of the home crowd. But Toronto still has time to regroup, sharpen the defence and offence cohesion, and keep a strong finish in sight. If they execute better in high-energy games like this from start to finish, the East picture could shift again very quickly.
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