One last game in the regular season for the Raptors, and it was to secure their place in the playoffs — without having to endure the play-in tournament. Pretty big stakes for a Toronto team that could use a week off to rest a few injuries. Luckily, they were playing the already-eliminated Brooklyn Nets on Sunday afternoon at home.
After losing to the other New York NBA team, the Raptors had an easier time on Sunday. The pre-game point spread was apparently the biggest in NBA history (that was the whisper
in the Raptors media room, anyway) in the Raptors’ favour.
Scottie Barnes made it his mission to avoid the play-in, scoring 18 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and dishing 12 assists for a triple-double. RJ Barrett led scorers with 25 points, and Brandon Ingram had 26 of his own to help the Raptors secure the win. In the end, they beat the Nets 136-101.
Now, the Raptors head into the playoffs for the first time in four years. The only people on this team who have been to a Raptors playoff game are Scottie Barnes in his rookie season, and Jakob Poeltl… the first time he was a Raptor. For the rest, it’ll be a first as a Raptor and for many, their first ever, as this team tests their postseason power. It will also be Darko Rajakovic’s first playoff appearance as head coach of the Raptors.
“Amazing accomplishment, making it to the playoffs, now we need to figure out how to win that first round,” Ingram said after making his first postseason in Toronto.
Their opponents will be the Cleveland Cavaliers, whom the Raptors swept their season series against — albeit in the fall, when they went on a 9-game winning streak. Still, a little better prognosis for the first round than 1) the Knicks and 2) having to be in the play-in.
“Rest is always good,” Ingram said about getting to skip the play-in.
The Raptors won 16 more games this season than they did in the 2024-2025 regular season, clinching the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference. Darko emphasized the fact that this team is not a finished product, but that he was proud of the growth his team achieved this season.
“When we started the season, we were hoping to play meaningful games at the end of the season…” Rajakovic said, “the playoffs are going to be another step for us, for our players to learn the intensity.”
