Brandon Ingram Struggles as Raptors Falter in New York: 3 Key Takeaways
For the first time since donning a Raptors jersey, Brandon Ingram looked out of sync-and it showed. The Raptors' weekend back-to-back against the Hornets and Knicks was supposed to be a momentum builder. Instead, it turned into a wake-up call, especially for Ingram, who followed up a game-winning performance earlier in the week with one of his most forgettable outings of the season.
Let’s break down what happened in Madison Square Garden, where the Raptors dropped their second straight game after a nine-game win streak.
1. Brandon Ingram Hits a Wall
Coming off a game where he hit a clutch game-winner and dropped a season-high 37 points, expectations were high for Ingram heading into the weekend. But against the Knicks on Sunday, he looked hesitant, turnover-prone, and disconnected from the rhythm that’s made him the Raptors’ offensive focal point this season.
It’s worth noting: this week marks the one-year anniversary of the ankle injury that derailed his season with the Pelicans. That context matters.
But even with that in mind, Ingram’s performance in New York was tough to watch. The confidence that’s defined his play this year just wasn’t there.
In a game where Toronto needed him to be steady, he struggled to find his footing.
2. Early Defensive Breakdowns Set the Tone
The Raptors came into Madison Square Garden shorthanded, missing two starters, and it showed right out of the gate. The Knicks jumped on them early, building a lead that ballooned to 24 points before Toronto could respond. The Raptors were forced to burn three timeouts in the opening quarter alone-never a good sign.
Despite the early hole, the team did show some fight. They clawed back to make the game competitive in stretches, but the damage had been done.
A sharper defensive presence from the jump might have changed the tenor of the night. Instead, the Knicks cruised to a 116-94 win, improving to 10-1 at home in the process.
3. Scottie Barnes Keeps Rising
If there was a silver lining in the loss, it was Scottie Barnes. The third-year forward continues to evolve into one of the Raptors’ most reliable weapons, and his shooting from deep is becoming a real asset. Three minutes into the second quarter, Barnes had already knocked down his fourth three-pointer of the night, tying a season high.
When his feet are set and he’s stepping into his shot with confidence, Barnes looks like a legitimate threat from beyond the arc. His three-point shooting helped spark a Raptors run that briefly made things interesting, and it’s another encouraging sign of his growth as a complete offensive player.
Bonus: Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles Shows Promise
Don’t overlook what rookie forward Collin Murray-Boyles brought to the floor. He played with noticeable energy and physicality, giving the Raptors a needed jolt off the bench. Against a Knicks team that thrives on toughness, Murray-Boyles didn’t back down-something that won’t go unnoticed by the coaching staff.
What’s Next
Toronto won’t have to wait long for a shot at redemption. On December 9, they’ll host the Knicks in what could be one of their biggest games in recent memory-a win-or-go-home matchup in the NBA Cup tournament, with a trip to Las Vegas on the line.
The Raptors have shown they can hang with anyone when they’re locked in. But if they want to make noise in this new tournament format, they’ll need their stars-especially Ingram-to bounce back in a big way.