Last night the Toronto Raptors lost 117 to 101 to the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup quarterfinals at Scotiabank Arena. It was a tough result and it stung (especially with the Cup on the line) but as a long-time fan I walked away proud of how the group competed and how far this season has come.
The Recap in Plain Terms
The Knicks jumped early and pushed a huge second quarter that Toronto could not fully erase. New York led 69 to 52 at halftime after outscoring Toronto 34 to 13 in the second quarter. The Raptors chipped away in the third but the deficit was too big and the visitors closed the game out in the fourth. This was more a case of New York making the big plays in big moments than Toronto folding.
Who Stood Out
Jalen Brunson took over for the Knicks with 35 points, doing most of his damage early and keeping New York in control. Josh Hart gave a physical, veteran performance with 21 points. Last night the Toronto Raptors lost 117 to 101 to the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup quarterfinals at Scotiabank Arena. It was a tough result and it stung (especially with the Cup on the line) but as a long-time fan I walked away proud of how the group competed and how far this season has come.
The recap in plain terms
The Knicks jumped early and pushed a huge second quarter that Toronto could not fully erase. New York led 69 to 52 at halftime after outscoring Toronto 34 to 13 in the second quarter. The Raptors chipped away in the third but the deficit was too big and the visitors closed the game out in the fourth. This was more a case of New York making the big plays in big moments than Toronto folding.
Big nights and who stood out
Jalen Brunson took over for the Knicks with 35 points, doing most of his damage early and keeping New York in control. Josh Hart gave a physical, veteran performance with 21 points. Karl Anthony Towns battled inside and grabbed 16 rebounds. Those performances pushed the Knicks through to the Cup semifinals.
For Toronto Brandon Ingram carried the offence with 31 points and kept the Raptors within striking distance at times. Jamal Shead had a career night with 18 points, and Scottie Barnes and Ja’Kobe Walter each added 13. Jakob Poeltl chipped in with 10. The effort was there; the execution on one awful quarter and a few critical stretches was not quite enough.
Availability notes that mattered
I verified the injury and availability reports. Immanuel Quickley did not play because of an illness and RJ Barrett remained out with a right knee issue. Those absences changed rotations and forced Toronto to lean heavily on Ingram and younger pieces. The team will need to get healthier to keep rolling.
NBA Cup and the standings context
This loss eliminated the Raptors from the NBA Cup. The Knicks advanced to the semifinals in Las Vegas. In the larger picture, the Raptors were still competitive in the Eastern Conference around this date with a record of 15 and 11. They were no longer sitting second in the East; they were a few games back of the league leaders and firmly inside the upper tier of the conference. One Cup loss and one game did not change the fact that this roster had produced an encouraging body of work through the stretch.
What needs to happen going forward
A few practical fixes jumped out from the game: win the second quarter battles more often, defend the glass so opponents get fewer second chance points, and get some of the missing playmakers back so the rotation has better spacing. Those are fixable with rest, coaching adjustments, and a few healthier lineups. This club has shown it can string wins together and then respond after setbacks.
What was next for Toronto after this game
After the Cup exit the Raptors were scheduled to head to Miami for their next regular season game. That road trip was a quick chance to regroup and refocus on the long season ahead.
Final thoughts from a long-time fan
I have watched this team through lean times and hopeful stretches. This loss stung because the Cup was within reach, but it did not erase how much this group had accomplished over the previous weeks. Brandon Ingram showed he can carry the scoring load. The younger guys battled. When the missing pieces come back and the team avoids those bad quarters, this squad looks like a real threat in the East.
So yes, I am disappointed. But I am also proud, optimistic, and still excited. Imagine how much better they will be in the spring if they keep improving the small things now. Go Raptors battled inside and grabbed 16 rebounds. Those performances pushed the Knicks through to the Cup semifinals.
ESPN.com
For Toronto Brandon Ingram carried the offence with 31 points and kept the Raptors within striking distance at times. Jamal Shead had a career night with 18 points, and Scottie Barnes and Ja’Kobe Walter each added 13. Jakob Poeltl chipped in with 10. The effort was there; the execution on one awful quarter and a few critical stretches was not quite enough.
Availability notes that mattered
I verified the injury and availability reports. Immanuel Quickley did not play because of an illness and RJ Barrett remained out with a right knee issue. Those absences changed rotations and forced Toronto to lean heavily on Ingram and younger pieces. The team will need to get healthier to keep rolling.
NBA Cup and the standings context
This loss eliminated the Raptors from the NBA Cup. The Knicks advanced to the semifinals in Las Vegas. In the larger picture the Raptors were still competitive in the Eastern Conference around this date with a record of 15 and 11. They were no longer sitting second in the East; they were a few games back of the league leaders and firmly inside the upper tier of the conference. One Cup loss and one game did not change the fact that this roster had produced an encouraging body of work through the stretch.
What needs to happen going forward
A few practical fixes jumped out from the game: win the second quarter battles more often, defend the glass so opponents get fewer second chance points, and get some of the missing playmakers back so the rotation has better spacing. Those are fixable with rest, coaching adjustments, and a few healthier lineups. This club has shown it can string wins together and then respond after setbacks.
ESPN.com
What was next for Toronto after this game
After the Cup exit the Raptors were scheduled to head to Miami for their next regular season game. That road trip was a quick chance to regroup and refocus on the long season ahead.
Final thoughts from a long time fan
I have watched this team through lean times and hopeful stretches. This loss stung because the Cup was within reach, but it did not erase how much this group had accomplished over the previous weeks. Brandon Ingram showed he can carry the scoring load. The younger guys battled. When the missing pieces come back and the team avoids those bad quarters, this squad looks like a real threat in the East.
So yes, I am disappointed. But I am also proud, optimistic, and still excited. Imagine how much better they will be in the spring if they keep improving the small things now. Go Raptors
👏 Let’s Go Raptors 👏
