In the NBA, having sharpshooters on the perimeter is often seen as essential. Yet, the Toronto Raptors are challenging this norm with a core that doesn't heavily rely on three-point shooting.
While they have players capable of hitting threes, their strategy leans more towards scoring inside the arc. Even when they have open looks from deep, the Raptors have struggled to consistently convert.
The bulk of Toronto’s three-point shooting duties falls on Immanuel Quickley, their most reliable option from beyond the arc. Quickley leads the team with 7.0 three-point attempts per game, slightly up from last season's 6.8, and he's hitting 37.5% of those shots. However, his streaky nature means fans are used to the occasional slump, even as he remains a pivotal player heading into the playoffs.
Throughout the 2025-26 season, Quickley has had his share of hot streaks, but recently, his shooting touch has cooled. Over the last five games, he’s been hitting just 31.3% from deep on 6.4 attempts per game, with a couple of tough outings where he went 1-for-6.
Meanwhile, Raptors All-Star Brandon Ingram is stepping up where Quickley has faltered, adding a fascinating dynamic to their shooting narrative. Ingram has been on fire in the last two games, delivering back-to-back 30-plus point performances that were instrumental in victories over the Phoenix Suns and Detroit Pistons. His shooting from beyond the arc has been a standout, going 5-for-6 against Phoenix and 4-for-9 against Detroit.
In the same five-game stretch, Ingram is attempting 5.8 threes per game, a slight increase from his season average of 4.9, and he's connecting at an impressive 41.4% rate. Although he faced challenges in the games prior, with struggles against the Pelicans, Rockets, and Mavericks, his recent resurgence is promising.
Ingram’s development in shooting versatility, moving beyond his typical isolation and mid-range plays, is a crucial evolution. This willingness to expand his game couldn’t come at a better time, especially with the playoffs looming and Quickley finding his rhythm elusive.
While it's not about turning Ingram into a pure three-point shooter, his ability to mix efficient scoring from both inside and beyond the arc would be a boon for the Raptors. As opponents focus on shutting down his usual spots, Ingram’s adaptability to find open threes-or even take contested shots when he's in the zone-could provide Toronto with a significant advantage as the stakes rise.