Brandon Ingram’s All-Star Return Caps a Resurgent Season in Toronto - But the Work’s Just Beginning
The Toronto Raptors were already set to be well-represented at NBA All-Star Weekend, but Raptors fans got an extra jolt of excitement when Brandon Ingram was officially named as Steph Curry’s injury replacement for the All-Star Game. That brings the Raptors’ All-Star contingent in Los Angeles to six: Ingram joins Scottie Barnes, head coach Darko Rajakovic, rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, and two-way players Alijah Martin and AJ Lawson.
For a team that wasn’t expected to make much noise this season, Toronto’s growing presence on the league’s biggest midseason stage is a testament to how far they’ve come - and how much things have changed.
This marks just the seventh time in franchise history that the Raptors have had multiple All-Stars. The last time it happened?
Back in 2019-20, when Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam both earned selections. Before that, it was the Lowry-DeRozan era that set the standard.
Now, it’s Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram leading the charge - a pairing that’s starting to gain some real traction.
But for Ingram, this All-Star nod is more than just an accolade - it’s a full-circle moment.
The last time Ingram played in an All-Star Game was that same 2019-20 season, which also happened to be his breakout campaign. He took home the NBA’s Most Improved Player award that year, and many believed he was on the cusp of stardom.
But the years that followed in New Orleans were uneven. The numbers were there - the smooth mid-range game, the growing playmaking, the scoring touch - but the team success wasn’t.
A couple of first-round playoff appearances were the high points, and questions started to swirl about whether Ingram could truly be a difference-maker when it mattered most.
His defense was scrutinized. His ability to stretch the floor consistently was debated.
And most of all, his availability - or lack thereof - became a recurring concern. Injuries chipped away at his momentum, and the shine from that breakout season began to fade.
Now, in Toronto, Ingram is writing a new chapter.
He's played in 53 games already this season - a number that, in some past years, would’ve represented his entire season total. Other than a brief two-game absence in January, he’s been a steady presence for the Raptors, and his impact has been felt night in and night out. Alongside Scottie Barnes - who’s taken a leap on both ends of the floor and is starting to build a legitimate case for Defensive Player of the Year - Ingram has helped reshape the Raptors’ identity.
His season averages - 21.8 points on 47.4% shooting, 36.5% from deep, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists - might not scream “breakout,” but they tell the story of a player who’s found balance. He’s efficient.
He’s reliable. And he’s giving Toronto exactly what it lacked last season: a go-to scoring threat who can create his own shot and keep defenses honest.
Last year, the Raptors tried to manufacture that with their BBQ trio - Barnes, Barrett, Quickley - but it never quite clicked the way they hoped. Ingram has changed that. He’s given them a different dimension, and the results are showing.
It’s also worth noting that his All-Star selection wasn’t just a quiet league office decision. There was noise.
A strong push from Raptors fans, and even vocal support from around the league - including Draymond Green and John Wall - brought attention to what many saw as an early-season snub. That outside validation only adds to the weight of this moment for Ingram.
Sure, he’s in as an injury replacement. But that doesn’t diminish what this means - or what comes next.
Because this isn’t the finish line. It’s a checkpoint.
The Raptors are still in the thick of the playoff hunt, and Ingram will be a central figure in whether they can turn this promising season into something more. His chemistry with Barnes is growing.
His role is clear. And if he can sustain this level of play - or even build on it - he could be the swing factor in how far this Toronto team can go.
Of course, the NBA never stops moving. Trade rumors will always hover, and if the Raptors decide to make a big swing, Ingram’s name could be part of that conversation. But for now, he’s a key piece of a team that’s starting to believe in itself again.
This All-Star selection isn’t just a reward for what Ingram’s done - it’s a reminder of what he’s still capable of. He’s not just back in the spotlight.
He’s earned it. And if he can keep this momentum rolling, the Raptors - and the rest of the league - will be watching closely.