In a game that started slowly but finished with high drama, the Toronto Raptors secured a crucial 116-115 overtime victory against the visiting Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, January 11, 2026. The most significant development for Toronto was the return of All-Star forward Scottie Barnes, who had missed the previous game with a knee issue.
Barnes Imposes His Will
Barnes made his presence felt immediately, erupting for 20 points in the first half alone. He finished the night with a team-high 31 points, putting his stamp on a contest between two Eastern Conference rivals separated by just half a game in the standings. The game, which lacked the expected playoff-level intensity early on, was salvaged by a thrilling finish featuring two late video reviews that favoured Toronto.
With one second remaining in overtime, Barnes was fouled and sent to the free-throw line. He coolly sank the first shot to provide the winning margin, then intentionally missed the second to run out the clock. His performance was part of a duel with 76ers star Tyrese Maxey, who also played at an elite level for Philadelphia.
Raptors Overcome Mounting Injuries
The win was especially impressive given Toronto's depleted roster. The Raptors were already missing three starters: Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, and Jakob Poeltl. The injury woes worsened when rookie Ja'Kobe Walter left the game after just five minutes with a right hip pointer.
This adversity created opportunities for others. Rookie Colin Murray-Boyles recorded a double-double, while second-round pick Alijah Martin contributed nine points and eight rebounds off the bench in a confidence-boosting performance. The point guard duo of Immanuel Quickley (20 points) and rookie Jamal Shead (22 points) also shone, with Shead hitting a crucial floater with two seconds left in regulation to force overtime.
76ers Also Missing Key Pieces
Philadelphia was not at full strength either. Former MVP Joel Embiid was ruled out for the game, a decision attributed to left knee injury management and left groin soreness. Notably, Embiid has not played in Toronto since October 2023. All-Star forward Paul George was also a late scratch due to left knee soreness, further thinning the Sixers' lineup.
The absence of Embiid altered the dynamic of a rivalry that has featured memorable moments, including Kawhi Leonard's iconic buzzer-beater in the 2019 playoffs and Embiid leading Philadelphia to a first-round series win in Toronto in 2022.
The victory provides a significant boost for the Raptors as they navigate a difficult stretch of the schedule without key contributors, relying on the star power of Scottie Barnes and timely performances from their supporting cast.
