TORONTO – It’s lastly time for the Toronto Raptors to relaxation.
Head coach Darko Rajakovic instructed his gamers to relaxation as a lot as they will earlier than their subsequent apply on Friday after enjoying in seven video games over 11 days the place Toronto went 1-6. The final loss could be probably the most painful as Jalen Brunson had 35 factors because the New York Knicks routed the undermanned Raptors 117-101 on Tuesday in an Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinal.
“Really vital simply to reset the thoughts, reset the physique,” stated Brandon Ingram, who led Toronto with 31 factors towards New York, together with 17 within the first quarter.
“Look at these first 25, 26 video games and see what we’ve finished nicely, what we haven’t finished so nicely, and simply attempt to alter and handle it and attempt to be higher at it.”
The Raptors’ subsequent sport will likely be towards the Miami Heat on Monday, giving them a full 5 days off after that hectic 11-day stretch.
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Rest may even be important for level guard Immanuel Quickley and swingman RJ Barrett of Mississauga, Ont.
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Both starters missed the Raptors’ first-ever knockout sport of the NBA Cup. Quickley was out with an undisclosed sickness and Barrett continues to get well from a sprained proper knee.
“Seven sport in 11 days. We positively want it. We have to get wholesome,” stated level guard Jamal Shead after a career-high 18 factors beginning instead of Quickley. “RJ, Quick, simply our total crew, we simply want our our bodies to get proper.”
Ingram additionally had seven assists and 6 rebounds as Toronto (15-11) dropped its fourth sport in a row. Scottie Barnes added 13 factors, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
Shead, who had been listed as questionable with a proper quad contusion, had eight assists and three rebounds. Ochai Agbaji had three factors instead of Barrett.
Toronto’s lack of depth was uncovered by the Knicks’ defence, with a number of Raptors bench gamers left scoreless.
Rajakovic has stated all through the season that each loss is a chance to study. He, Ingram and Shead all appeared to take the NBA Cup quarterfinal loss in stride when talking with media post-game.
“It is tough (for younger gamers to tackle new roles) however that’s the job, you realize,” stated Rajakovic. “I feel it’s an ideal studying alternative for all of them.
“I assumed that our spirit was nice. I assumed that we competed the entire sport. We simply performed towards a greater crew tonight.”
Ingram echoed Rajakovic’s sentiments, however seemed on the season as an entire.
“One massive lesson that I take away from the course of the season is we’ve little margin for error, particularly when we’ve guys out and in of the lineup,” he stated. “We’ve had (Jakob Poeltl) out of the lineup. We’ve had RJ out of the lineup. We had Quick out of the lineup in the present day.
“So as guys are available and step up, we’ve just a bit margin for error in video games particularly once we play actually, actually good groups.”
Karl-Anthony Towns, who was a game-time choice, had a double-double with 14 factors and 16 rebounds as New York (17-7) gained its fourth straight.
New York advances to Las Vegas the place it’ll face the Orlando Magic on Saturday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Dec. 10, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
