What to know
The Toronto Raptors beat the Indiana Pacers 129-111 Saturday night, extending their strong early-season run.
Seven Raptors scored double-digits, including Jakob Poeltl and RJ Barrett.
Raptors fans are encouraged by the team’s resurgence as it heads into a favourable upcoming schedule.
The Toronto Raptors are off to a strong start this season, currently sitting at eight wins and five losses – 7-1 over the last eight games – and riding a three-game winning streak.
Raptors vs. Pacers Highlights
The Pacers put up a good fight despite being down three regular starters due to injuries. Ex-Raptor Pascal Siakam scored 30 points – with five three-pointers – and Point Guard Andrew Nembhard notched 22. On the Raptors side, seven players scored double-digits in the game, including Jakob Poeltl who scored 22.
It’s been less than two years since Siakam – a three-time NBA All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection – was traded to the Pacers. He was a part of the Raptors’ NBA Championship win in 2019.
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Speaking to the media following the game, it was evident the Raptors were focused on staying grounded amid the winning streak.
“Obviously, there’re still things we want to improve on; we’re by no means perfect”, Poeltl said. “What I do give ourselves a lot of credit for is the way we’re figuring out games. We might not have the best start to games and we might make some mistakes early on, but at least in the last eight, nine games, we’ve figured out a way to respond to what the other team is throwing at us.”
Raptors Head Coach Darko Rajaković also praised the team’s synergy.
“I’m really satisfied with winning four out of five games on this road trip,” Rajaković said. “We’re playing nine out of 13 games on the road. … I think this is very good for us early in the season to be on the road this much, to learn how to play on the road and how to win those games.”
Raptors Fans React
The team’s recent surge is welcomed by its fans – who were let down by the last two seasons. In their 2023-24 season, the Raptors finished 12th in the Eastern Conference, with 25-57, followed by a marginal improvement in the 2024-25 season, finishing 11th in the conference with 30-52.
The Raptors lost its longtime president Masai Ujiri earlier this year – which delivered another blow to the team and its fans. Ujiri had been a part of the team for 12 years, through the championship win in 2019.
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“The Raptors being a top team again, I used to pray for times like this,” an X user wrote.
“The Raptors better keep doing well because they’re the only thing keeping me alive until [MLB] spring training,” another hoped.
“At first I was thinking we should trade Immanuel Quickley but the Raptors’ last 8 games have been 7-1, that tells me the team’s chemistry is fire right now,” an X user said. “So we may have to lower those talks, for now at least.”
“At least watching the Raptors doesn’t make you scream at the TV like watching the Leafs games,” another wrote.
Up Next for the Raptors
As the team rides on the momentum, the Raptors’ upcoming schedule also seems to be in their favour, with the next seven games being against teams with weaker performances (except the Cleveland Cavaliers), five of which take place on home court.
November 17th: Charlotte Hornets (4-9)
November 19th: Philadelphia 76ers (7-5)
November 21st: Washington Wizards (1-11)
November 23rd: Brooklyn Nets (1-11)
November 24th: Cleveland Cavaliers (9-5)
November 26th: Indiana Pacers (1-12)
November 29th: Charlotte Hornets (4-9)