Toronto Raptors are 43-35 and competing for a fifth or sixth seed in a tight race, but final four games will define their season.<\/p>\n
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Published Apr 06, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 1\u00a0hour ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n Is it a forgone conclusion or perhaps a season-ending stretch of four games where the Raptors can somehow regain a form that had them competing for a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference?<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The pendulum clearly has swung when one considers the Raptors were playing solid basketball that saw them go 4-1 on a Western trip capped off by a 103-101 win in OKC over the defending NBA champions earlier this season.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Since that victory over the Thunder, the Raptors have played 30 games and have gone 14-16 \u2014 not exactly cause for inspiration as the playoffs loom.<\/p>\n Toronto begins a crucial two-game home set against the Miami Heat beginning Tuesday night sporting a 43-35 record<\/a>.<\/p>\n The following are five questions leading into the final week of the season.<\/p>\n 1. Why have the Raptors turned so soft?<\/p>\n Culture building has been the rage in pro sports when everyone knows everything hinges on winning.<\/p>\n For those who actually subscribe to the culture theme, consider Toronto\u2019s anointed franchise player in Scottie Barnes is too casual when he\u2019s on the floor.<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n When adversity arrives, often in the fourth quarter and more often than not against good teams, he disappears.<\/p>\n His body language at times is not good and he has to be better than just good this week.<\/p>\n 2. How much blame should head coach Darko Rajakovic shoulder?<\/p>\n Being nice means nothing in pro sports when all that matters is wins and losses.<\/p>\n As best that can be gleaned, Rajakovic hasn\u2019t held Barnes accountable.<\/p>\n In fact, he seems to go out of his way to coddle Barnes, insisting he\u2019ll one day emerge as the face of the league, while singing the praises of his defence.<\/p>\n The Masai Ujiri apologists once waxed poetic about this year\u2019s edition and how Ujiri hand-picked the head coach and players \u2014 where are these apologists now?<\/p>\n If the Raptors lose in the play-in tournament, Rajakovic must be fired and replaced by a more demanding head coach.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n In addition, a loss should force the Raptors to look at every option involving Barnes as a trade chip.<\/p>\n 3. Play-in or playoffs?<\/p>\n A best-of-seven opening-round series seemed a certainty a few weeks ago.<\/p>\n The Raptors have not been playing well and against good teams they can\u2019t execute in the fourth quarter. Toronto\u2019s final-quarter performance in Boston Sunday was pathetic.<\/p>\n One game against the New York Knicks looms, but against the Knicks, Detroit Pistons and Celtics, only once has Toronto earned a victory.<\/p>\n Even if they do survive the play-in, a quick one-and-done playoff series experience is more than likely.<\/p>\n By running the four-game table, the Raptors will be in a position to finish out of the play-in.<\/p>\n Even then, they must somehow finish fifth.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The chances of beating the Cleveland Cavaliers in an opening-round series are slim, but slim is better than none.<\/p>\n 4. Can youth continue to be served?<\/p>\n Two of the Raptors\u2019 best players have been rookie Collin Murray-Boyles and second-year wing Ja\u2019Kobe Walter.<\/p>\n When Barnes and Brandon Ingram were clearly outplayed by Boston\u2019s dynamic duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum<\/a>, which is never a good sign, it was Walter and CMB who elevated their game.<\/p>\n No question the Raptors have had a good season, but it is not ending well. If this slide continues, especially if they end up in the play-in and flame out, the club will need to get Walter and CMB much more involved next season.<\/p>\n In this scenario, some big changes will have to be initiated. Consider Immanuel Quickley\u2019s injury and inflated salary \u2014 a contract Ujiri oversaw \u2014 Jakob Poeltl\u2019s limitations, RJ Barrett\u2019s contract status and one begins to understand the delicate dance GM Bobby Webster will have to navigate.<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n CMB and Walter are good building blocks. Right now given the roster construction, each is a complementary player.<\/p>\n That could all change if the Raptors don\u2019t get their act together this week and when meaningful games are played.<\/p>\n 5. Can this season be salvaged?<\/p>\n Atlanta has been playing at a high level, Charlotte has found its footing and even Philadelphia has picked up its game.<\/p>\n Based on recent form, the Raptors wouldn\u2019t beat either team in a playoff series.<\/p>\n What needs to happen this week is for Barnes and Ingram to rediscover their games, the team to have a much-improved engagement level on the glass and a far better level of execution in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n Given the Raptors\u2019 poor showing in recent years, this season will be viewed as a step forward. And there is credence to that by simply looking at the standings.<\/p>\n Advertisement 7<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Jaden Ivey filmed preaching on street corner days after NBA star was cut over anti-LGBTQ rants<\/p>\n![\"Neemias](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0407-toronto-raptors-dunk-boston-celtics.jpg\")
Neemias Queta of the Boston Celtics dunks the ball against Brandon Ingram of the Toronto Raptors. Getty ImagesArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.9.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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