THE Toronto Raptors weren’t supposed to be near the top of the Eastern Conference.
After a 30-win campaign last seasons and signs pointing to a full rebuild, few expected the team to roar back into relevance.
Yet, the Raptors are riding a 9-game winning streak with a 14-5 win-loss record, a game behind conference leader Detroit Pistons. In a conference that feels more wide-open than ever, the Raptors have a legitimate shot to represent the East in the NBA Finals.
The turning point was back in February of this year when Toronto acquired Brandon Ingram. At that time, it was a head scratcher. Ingram was no longer wanted in New Orleans, and he was approaching free agency. The Raptors signed him to a fresh three-year, $120 million contract which pundits criticized as it clogged a salary cap with Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickly, RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl already under contract. Ingram is also often injured so it was considered very risky to acquire him.
A few months later, that gamble has paid off as Ingram is what the team missed: a versatile scorer who could ease the offensive load of Barnes, the franchise cornerstone. Ingram’s three-level scoring and shot creation have transformed Toronto’s half-court offense from a liability into a strength. The Raptors ranked 25th in half-court efficiency last season; today, they’re fifth. In clutch situations, they’ve flipped the script—winning seven of nine close games after going 10-22 in those spots a year ago. Ingram’s maturity and willingness to defend have made him more than a scorer; he’s a tone-setter.
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Barnes, meanwhile, has blossomed into the heart of this team. Averaging nearly 20 points with elite defensive metrics, switching onto guards, protecting the rim, and orchestrating offense in transition. His evolution into a true two-way star gives Toronto the kind of foundational piece contenders need.
Toronto’s resurgence isn’t just about its stars. Head coach Darko Rajaković has built a system predicated on ball pressure and movement, and the roster is deep enough to execute it. Immanuel Quickley has stabilized the point guard spot with shooting and playmaking, while Jakob Poeltl remains the glue on both ends—screening, rebounding, and anchoring the defense. Off the bench, Jamal Shead and Sandro Mamukelashvili have quietly formed one of the league’s most effective reserve duos, giving Toronto the flexibility to sustain leads and survive injuries.
Defensively, the Raptors have struck a balance. They still force turnovers at a high rate but gone are the reckless traps that left them exposed last year. Since a shaky start, they’ve climbed into the top tier in defensive rating, complementing an offense that now ranks seventh. That two-way efficiency is the hallmark of a contender.
The timing couldn’t be better. Milwaukee is battling injuries, Boston looks vulnerable after roster turnover, and Cleveland has yet to prove its playoff mettle. Beyond those teams, the field is full of question marks. Toronto, by contrast, has continuity, health, and momentum. They’ve already clinched a spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, a confidence boost for a young squad learning to win under pressure.
Are the Raptors favorites? No. But in a parity-driven East, they have the ingredients—star power, depth, defense, and a coach with a clear identity. If they keep trending upward, don’t be surprised if the North rises again come June.