The Toronto Raptors' troubling pattern of slow starts resurfaced at the worst possible time, leading to a 106-103 defeat against a severely short-handed Denver Nuggets team on Wednesday night at Scotiabank Arena. Despite a valiant fourth-quarter push, the Raptors could not overcome another double-digit deficit, dropping their record to 20-15.
Canadian Duel and Defensive Adjustments
The game featured a compelling subplot with two key members of Canada's national basketball team, RJ Barrett and Jamal Murray, facing off. Barrett, recently returned to the Raptors' starting lineup on a minutes restriction, found himself matched against Murray on several possessions. Murray, the lone regular starter available for Denver, used a crafty shot fake to draw a foul on Barrett early.
Defensive stalwart Scottie Barnes took on the primary assignment of guarding Murray to start the second half, a move that sparked a 9-0 Raptors run to tie the game. A three-pointer from Barrett minutes later gave Toronto its first lead since the opening quarter. However, Denver responded with a 7-0 run to close the third, taking an 85-79 advantage into the final frame.
Offensive Struggles and a Heartbreaking Finish
Inconsistent offense plagued the Raptors throughout the night. Facing a significant deficit, head coach Darko Rajakovic deployed two point guards, Immanuel Quickley and Jamal Shead, to increase the pace. Quickley, Barnes, and Brandon Ingram combined for 73 of Toronto's 103 points, but the team's overall shooting, particularly from three-point range, was lacking.
The game culminated in a dramatic, controversial finish. After the Nuggets missed free throws that could have sealed the victory, Brandon Ingram sank a long three-pointer at the buzzer. The potential game-tying shot was reviewed and ultimately overturned, sealing the Raptors' fate and denying them a chance at overtime.
Valanciunas Shines Before Injury Strikes
With Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic sidelined for at least four weeks with a knee injury, former Raptor Jonas Valanciunas stepped into a prominent role. The veteran centre dominated in his extended minutes, scoring 17 points and grabbing rebounds efficiently against a Toronto frontcourt missing Jakob Poeltl.
Valanciunas' strong night was cut short by injury with 4:03 remaining in the third quarter. He limped to the locker room with a right calf strain, a significant blow to the already depleted Nuggets. His absence altered the game's interior dynamics in the closing stages.
The Raptors now look to regroup as their five-game homestand concludes with a two-game set against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday and Monday. The team has beaten Atlanta twice already this season, but both victories came on the road.
