The Toronto Raptors opened a critical five-game Western Conference road trip with a tough 110-93 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. The defeat was compounded by an injury to emerging rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, who left the game in the second half with a left thumb sprain.
Rookie's Breakout Performance Cut Short
First-year forward Collin Murray-Boyles was the story of the night for Toronto, at least until his unfortunate exit. Facing a Lakers squad featuring superstars LeBron James and Luka Doncic, the rookie displayed remarkable poise. In just 19 first-half minutes, he compiled 11 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three blocked shots—all on attempts by Doncic.
His energetic play on both ends of the floor sparked the Raptors' early surge and demonstrated a comfort level on one of the NBA's biggest stages. However, midway through the third quarter, Doncic struck Murray-Boyles on the left thumb during a steal attempt. The rookie, who has previously dealt with irritation in that thumb, left the game and did not return. His status for the remainder of the road trip is now uncertain.
Coach's Fury and Offensive Struggles
Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic erupted in frustration during the second quarter, earning a technical foul with 8:30 remaining. His anger was directed at officiating that heavily favoured the star-laden Lakers, a recurring theme in high-profile road games. Star forward Scottie Barnes also received a technical in the third quarter for expressing similar displeasure.
Toronto's offensive shortcomings were glaring. The team struggled immensely from beyond the arc, shooting a dismal 3-for-15 from three-point range in the first half. This poor shooting allowed the Lakers to deploy zone defences effectively, knowing the Raptors lacked consistent perimeter threats to break it down. The Lakers' trio of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Deandre Ayton combined for 74 points, overpowering the Raptors in the second half.
Key Returns and Looking Ahead
The game did see the return of starting point guard Immanuel Quickley, who had missed the previous two games with back spasms. Quickley started slowly but found a rhythm in the third quarter, hitting a corner three-pointer and a pull-up jumper. Veteran forward Brandon Ingram, a former Laker, also returned to Los Angeles but was limited to 1-for-4 shooting from distance as part of the team's overall perimeter struggles.
The Raptors were notably shorthanded, playing without centre Jakob Poeltl (back) and guard RJ Barrett (ankle). The loss drops Toronto's record as they continue their trip, which next sees them travel up the California coast to face the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night. The two teams played a thrilling overtime game in Toronto last month, which the Raptors won.
