Last night the Toronto Raptors pulled off a gutsy 103 to 101 road win against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on January 25, 2026. This was not a comfy victory as the teams traded leads, Thunder big moments kept things tense, and Toronto had to battle to the final minutes before sealing another signature road triumph.
This win extended the Raptors’ streak to four straight victories and showed just how resilient this team can be when the game is tight in the final moments.
How the Game Played Out
The Raptors and Thunder battled throughout with no team ever leading by more than seven points. Oklahoma City came in with the best record in the league, and Toronto matched that level of intensity from start to finish. The Raptors trailed late in the fourth quarter, but a pair of big three-pointers and clutch free throws down the stretch gave them the edge.
Scottie Barnes’ late defensive plays, including a crucial block on Chet Holmgren, swung momentum at a key moment. Then Immanuel Quickley calmly sank two late free throws to hold off Oklahoma City’s final push and give Toronto the narrow win.
Standout Performances
Toronto Raptors
• Immanuel Quickley led the Raptors with 23 points and 11 rebounds, including big late buckets and two clutch free throws that essentially sealed the victory.
• R.J. Barrett scored 14 points, knocking down shots when Toronto needed to stay in front.
• Scottie Barnes finished with a double-double, adding 10 points and 10 rebounds while impacting the game on both ends and making that key late block.
• Brandon Ingram chipped in 13 points, helping shoulder the scoring load throughout.
Oklahoma City Thunder
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 24 points, keeping the Thunder in position to win late and extending his season of 20+ point games.
• Lu Dort scored 19 points, giving OKC additional punch in key moments.
• Kenrich Williams added 15 points, and Chet Holmgren chipped in a double double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Standings and Where the Raptors Sit
With this win the Raptors improved to 29 and 19 on the season, keeping them firmly in the hunt in the Eastern Conference. While they were still not in first place, this stretch of wins helped boost their positioning and confidence. Teams ahead in the standings still hold a slight edge, but Toronto has shown it can compete with anyone.
To inch closer to first place the Raptors will need:
• Consistent late-game execution — making plays down the stretch like they did last night.
• Balanced scoring attacks — so they are not relying on just one or two players to carry the offence.
• Improved defensive consistency, especially in the fourth quarter against tough offensive teams.
This win against one of the league’s best teams shows Toronto can rise to the challenge and stay competitive with the top clubs.
What Needs to Happen Next
Even with four straight wins, the Raptors still have work to do to grab the top spot in the East. Here’s what the path looks like:
• Strong performances on both ends of the floor, especially against other Eastern contenders.
• Taking care of the ball in crunch time — limiting turnovers in close games.
• Healthy contributions from the full rotation so the load doesn’t fall solely on the starters.
If they can keep building on last night’s effort, Toronto will stay in striking range and position themselves for stronger playoff seeding.
Final Thoughts from a Long Time Fan
This was one of those road wins that just feels big. Facing the league’s best regular-season team in their own building is never easy, but the Raptors stuck to their game plan, shared the ball, and made the plays when the moment was biggest.
Quickley’s clutch scoring, Barnes’ defensive energy and double-double, plus the contributions from Barrett and Ingram, showed that this club can win gritty games on the road. That kind of growing confidence is exactly what Raptors fans want to see as the season moves deeper into January and February.
đź‘Ź Let’s Go Raptors đź‘Ź
