Raptors Overcome Rust to Defeat Struggling Bulls in Post-All-Star Clash
Following the NBA's week-long All-Star break, the Toronto Raptors displayed significant rust in their return to action, but Brandon Ingram's exceptional performance propelled them to a 110-101 victory over the Chicago Bulls on February 19, 2026. Ingram, fresh from his second All-Star appearance, scored 31 points, adding six assists, seven rebounds, and two steals to lead Toronto's effort.
Ingram's Dominant Display Rescues Offensive Struggles
While many Raptors players struggled to find their rhythm after the break, Ingram was in peak form. He previously scored 33 points against the Bulls in a February 5 home victory and replicated that success in Chicago. His clutch bucket with 36.1 seconds remaining extended Toronto's lead to seven points, securing the win. The Raptors' offense was otherwise inefficient, shooting only 30% from three-point range and missing their first seven attempts of the game.
Toronto improved to 33-23 overall and 10 games over .500, rebounding from a disappointing loss to the Detroit Pistons just before the All-Star break. Despite leading by nine points with over three minutes left, the Raptors allowed a 7-0 run by Chicago before Ingram and Collin Murray-Boyles stabilized the game. Murray-Boyles contributed 11 points and six rebounds, including a key play where he scored and was fouled late.
Full Roster Availability Boosts Team Dynamics
For the first time since November 7, early in the season, the Raptors had their complete roster available. Jakob Poeltl returned for his second consecutive game, albeit on a minutes restriction as he recovers from a long absence. Murray-Boyles also started after being held out prior to the All-Star break. Reserve big man Sandro Mamukelashvili, previously questionable with an abdominal injury, was cleared to play.
Head coach Darko Rajakovic now has all options at his disposal, marking only the fourth time this season he could choose from a full squad. Toronto's starting lineup with this configuration has an 8-4 record, while variations with Murray-Boyles starting show a 12-8 overall performance. Poeltl, however, appeared less than 100% in game speed, finishing with only two points and no rebounds in 16 minutes of play.
Notable Performances and Team Insights
Second-year wing Ja'Kobe Walter emerged as a standout player for the Raptors, scoring 14 points on 4-for-9 shooting and demonstrating aggressive defense with two steals. Walter has shown significant improvement on the road this season, shooting 48.4% from the field compared to 39% at home. His increased minutes in February have solidified his role in the rotation, surpassing struggling players like Gradey Dick and traded teammate Ochai Agbaji.
For the Bulls, Anfernee Simons led with 20 points, while Trey Jones added 12 points and six assists off the bench. Chicago's struggles were evident, as they committed 20 turnovers and lost 10 of their last 11 games. The franchise is undergoing a major rebuild, having moved on from key players like DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic. New leaders Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey, who was on a minutes restriction, aim to guide the team's retooling efforts.
Broader Context and Future Outlook
The Bulls, now ninth in the reverse standings, face challenges in securing high draft picks for their reload. Despite historical lottery successes, such as drafting Derrick Rose with 1.7% odds, their current trajectory suggests ongoing difficulties. Assistant coach Wes Unseld Jr. led the team in this game, with head coach Billy Donovan absent due to his father's passing.
Toronto's victory highlights their resilience and depth, with Ingram's leadership proving crucial. As the season progresses, the Raptors will look to build on this win, leveraging their full roster to maintain competitiveness in the Eastern Conference.
