Raptors Takeaways Struggling in the Big Apple Once Again

You might want to blame a lack of familiarity among the players for the result—and if you could, it might go something like this: The Toronto Raptors’ starting lineup entered Wednesday’s game having logged just 19 minutes together as a unit over more than a year, while the New York Knicks’ starters averaged 19 minutes per game as a group across 33 games this season.

If this had been a closer game decided by a few possessions or late-game execution, you could attribute the loss to the effects of an injury-plagued season and the growing pains of a rebuilding team. In that case, you’d chalk it up as a learning experience, dust yourself off, and prepare for the next matchup against another Eastern Conference contender.

Instead, the Raptors fell into a familiar pattern, looking outmatched enough to strip away the façade of rebuilding. After a solid first half and a promising start to the third quarter, they lost their composure, dropped their intensity, and allowed a superior Knicks team to pull away. The 112-98 final score flatters the Raptors, thanks in part to Chris Boucher’s electrifying three-minute stint: a 10-point, plus-11 run that served as a desperate plea for more minutes. By the time Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau sent Tyler Kolek into the game, the Raptors had already sunk into a 26-point deficit.

There were, however, some positives to take away.

Immanuel Quickley stood out, scoring 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting while finishing with a game-best plus-7. (Single-game plus-minus is inherently noisy, but it’s worth noting for Knicks fans who often highlighted Quickley’s strong on-off metrics during his tenure.) In the second quarter, Quickley fueled a personal 6-0 run, getting to the free-throw line twice, hitting a pull-up transition three, nabbing a steal, and blocking a Landry Shamet corner three. While he’s still working to build chemistry with a lineup that played extended stretches without him—or any true point guard—his performance was encouraging.

Late in that quarter, the Raptors also forced two shot-clock violations, a reminder of their defensive potential when fully engaged. The starting lineup even won their minutes, holding the Knicks to a respectable 31 points in 17 minutes together, which projects to an 88-point pace.

Any forward progress was quickly undone. The Knicks’ familiarity with one another was evident, as plays like Jalen Brunson failing to get a switch on a staggered screen were countered by Josh Hart seamlessly cutting and kicking to Mikal Bridges for an open corner three. The Raptors’ lack of attention to detail was equally apparent, such as when they doubled off Brunson to help on OG Anunoby in a non-threatening elbow post-up position. (This misapplication of help principles was something Garrett Temple openly discussed on The Raptors Show this week.)

While some of these mistakes might be excusable with a full 48 minutes of effort and intensity, that wasn’t the case here. Despite being healthy and decently rested, the Raptors played hard for one half, then lost their focus once again. I often find myself repeating the distinction between competitive losses that show positive developmental signs and those where the team looks disinterested and overwhelmed. On Wednesday, we got both, with a stark contrast between the two halves.

Here are some additional notes from the Raptors’ 14th loss in their last 15 games:

Scottie Barnes’ first six shots of the game came from the 10-to-19 foot range, an area he’s been trying to establish himself in since Quickley’s return. Heading into Wednesday’s game, Barnes ranked in the 92nd percentile among all players in hook shots and turnaround jumpers by volume, and in the 86th percentile in effectiveness.

Regardless of the outcome, this shift in shooting profile is notable as Barnes transitions to more of a forward role in the offense with a natural point guard back. While he’ll still handle the ball and initiate offense, Quickley’s presence allows Barnes to focus more on working in the paint and around the block. This is reflected in his recent shot distribution: averaging 3.8 three-point attempts to 13.3 two-point attempts over the last four games, compared to 5.8 and 10.6, respectively, prior.

Barnes finished with 18 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four blocks in this game, shooting 7-of-15 from the floor.

Ochai Agbaji left the game in the second quarter with a lower back contusion after a rebounding collision with Josh Hart. He did not return, and his streak of being the only Raptor to play in every game is now in jeopardy, especially with the team facing a back-to-back.

His absence allowed Ja’Kobe Walter to step up, moving from the 10th man to the 7th in the rotation.

Another rotation point to monitor is Jamal Shead’s position ahead of Davion Mitchell. Mitchell played only two brief stints – six seconds at the end of the second quarter and 20 seconds at the close of the third – both to guard Jalen Brunson during final offensive possessions. Meanwhile, Shead struggled, finishing minus-21 in 16 minutes.

While this is a developmental season and Shead certainly has potential, the rotation choice is understandable. However, Mitchell has been more consistent recently and could become a trade asset as the deadline approaches. It wouldn't be surprising to see him reclaim the backup point guard role, especially when Raptors 905’s schedule aligns, allowing Shead to get additional G-League minutes, as he did earlier in the year.

Gradey Dick’s playing time was limited to just 20 minutes, as he continues to struggle. Over his last three games, he’s missed every two-point attempt and has also had difficulty from beyond the arc. It’s possible that Dick has hit a sophomore wall after playing so many minutes early in the season, or he may be adjusting to a role that should be easier with the starters back. Reducing his minutes for now, based on performance, seems reasonable with the team healthier.

Darko Rajakovic used his challenge at the end of the second quarter in an attempt to prevent Jakob Poeltl from picking up a third foul. While the intention was understandable, it was a low-leverage use of the challenge, as even a third foul before halftime doesn’t typically signal significant trouble, and there were no free throws at stake. It was a clear loss, dropping the Raptors to 11-of-25 (44%) on challenges this season, well below the league-average success rate of 58.4%. The coaching staff will need to improve in this area when the games become more crucial.

Eugene Omoruyi is joining the Raptors on a 10-day contract, as announced in the fourth quarter. Omoruyi has been the standout player for Raptors 905 since joining, and this move rewards his strong performance while giving him another shot in the NBA. Though he’s not a traditional prospect at 27 years old, Omoruyi’s toughness, rebounding, passing, and three-point shooting make him a potential energy player off the bench, especially when the Raptors need an intensity boost.

This move also marks a payoff for Omoruyi’s bet on himself. He declined a $77,500 Exhibit 10 bonus from the Timberwolves to join Raptors 905, and now, with this 10-day deal, he will earn $124,288—more than making up for his earlier decision. And, of course, it adds another Canadian presence to the team.

Omoruyi takes the roster spot left open by the waiver of Bruno Fernando, whose contract would have become fully guaranteed for the season. This move gives the Raptors more roster flexibility and helps with luxury-tax considerations as the trade deadline approaches. Expect more 10-day contracts in the interim, with the possibility of converting Jamison Battle (or another two-way player) to a standard NBA deal after the deadline.

Branden Carlson, who was waived by the Thunder in a similar situation, could also rejoin the Raptors on a two-way contract, with Raptors 905 holding his G-League rights if he doesn’t secure an NBA spot.

Raptors 905 center Frank Kaminsky will join us on The Raptors Show Thursday morning. It was a pleasure catching up with him to discuss his journey from the NBA to Serbia, his thoughts on Wisconsin basketball, and whether his Bears are in a worse position than my Jaguars.

The Raptors return to action on Thursday in Cleveland (7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT, Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet+) to face a Cavaliers team that defeated the Thunder on Wednesday. It promises to be another solid test for the Raptors’ new starting lineup, with both teams playing on equal footing in the second night of a back-to-back. While you might expect a potential letdown from the Cavaliers after a marquee win—arguably the most significant game of the NBA season so far—I wouldn’t bet on it from a 32-4 team.