Raptors Fade in the Grind as Hornets Hand Them a Tough Loss
So, this Raptors–Hornets matchup turned into one of those games where you could almost feel the fatigue through the screen. Toronto came in dealing with a five-games-in-seven-nights stretch — the kind of grind that exposes any team’s limits — and it showed in a big way. By the end of the night, the Raptors were beaten 111-86 at Scotiabank Arena, dropping to 15-9 on the season and falling to 1-2 in their current five-game homestand.
What really stood out was the lack of energy. Not because the players didn’t care or didn’t try, but because the tank was simply empty. They were coming off an emotional, down-to-the-last-second loss to LeBron James and the Lakers the night before. It was the kind of game that lingers mentally even when you try to shake it off. And then, less than 24 hours later, they had to deal with Charlotte — a team that might be 7-16 but has given them nothing but headaches all year.
Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic didn’t sugarcoat anything afterward. He basically said the team just needs to mentally and physically reset — and quickly — because another challenge waits on Sunday afternoon. He pointed out that the missed layups and open shots weren’t about effort but about a group running on fumes. Still, he praised the fact that the players never quit, even when everything felt uphill.
Also Read:Immanuel Quickley was one of the few bright spots, dropping 31 points and trying to spark something, anything. But Scottie Barnes was held to 13, Brandon Ingram struggled to just seven, and the overall offense froze at the worst possible times. The second quarter was especially rough: the Raptors shot 30 per cent, lost the rebounding battle badly, committed unnecessary fouls, and surrendered a 35-17 run that put them behind for good.
Ja’Kobe Walter, who has stepped into a bigger role with RJ Barrett injured, had a night to forget. After a quiet first half — no made shots, early fouls, and little impact — he was benched to start the third quarter. Not because he was solely at fault, but because Toronto desperately needed more on-ball defense and ball pressure. Jamal Shead got the nod instead.
Even Jonathan Mogbo had a marathon day — playing an afternoon game with Raptors 905, then suiting up again for the main roster at night. Rajakovic talked about how valuable that is for his development, emphasizing that every minute on the court, no matter the league, is an opportunity.
And beyond the basketball itself, the game doubled as MLSE Foundation Night, shifting focus toward community support and continuing the tradition of honouring the legacy of Dec. 5 in a new format.
All in all, this was one of those nights where the schedule won. The Raptors weren’t out of effort — just out of gas. The question now is whether they can recharge fast enough to avoid slipping further during this homestand.
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