Raptors Fall Flat Against Knicks, But There Are Silver Linings Amid the Loss
On the second night of a back-to-back, the Toronto Raptors looked like a team running on fumes. From the opening tip, the energy just wasn’t there - and against a physical, locked-in Knicks squad, that’s a recipe for trouble. Still, while the final result wasn’t what the Raptors wanted, there were flashes of promise, especially from a few key young contributors.
Let’s break down the performances, what stood out, and what it all means as Toronto looks to steady the ship after back-to-back losses.
C. Murray-Boyles: 22 MIN, 11 PTS, 8 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 5-6 FG
Murray-Boyles didn’t start, but once he checked in, he played like a man determined to make a statement. He banged bodies with Mitchell Robinson in the paint and more than held his own, pulling down tough rebounds and finishing through contact.
His physicality stood out on both ends - defensively, he was a presence at the rim, and on offense, he moved well without the ball, finding easy buckets in transition. Efficient, aggressive, and impactful - this was one of his best outings yet.
Scottie Barnes: 32 MIN, 18 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 2 BLK, 7-17 FG
Barnes came out firing. His energy in the first half was infectious, and his 14 points before the break helped Toronto keep things from spiraling early.
But in the second half, the legs seemed to go. His jumper lost its rhythm, and the offensive punch he provided early faded.
Defensively, though, he remained locked in, especially on the perimeter. He made life tough for Karl-Anthony Towns, cutting off drives and staying disciplined.
This wasn’t a perfect game, but Barnes continued to show why he’s the heartbeat of this team.
Immanuel Quickley: 35 MIN, 19 PTS, 8 AST, 7-14 FG, 4-10 3PT
Quickley did everything he could to keep Toronto in it. His third quarter was electric - 13 points, deep threes, and relentless drives to the rim.
He exploited New York’s shaky point-of-attack defense and pushed the pace at every opportunity. His playmaking in transition was sharp, and he showed real control as a floor general.
In a game where Toronto struggled to find consistent offense, Quickley was a bright spot.
Brandon Ingram: 32 MIN, 14 PTS, 4 AST, 5 TO, 4-11 FG
This was a rough one for Ingram. The Knicks threw multiple defenders at him, and he never quite adjusted.
The result? Turnovers, rushed shots, and a general lack of rhythm.
He did hit a couple of threes late, but by then the game was slipping away. Toronto needed more from him, especially with RJ Barrett still sidelined.
The ball stuck a bit too much in his hands, and the offense stagnated as a result.
Jamison Battle: 11 MIN, 4 PTS, 1 REB, 2-4 FG
Battle got the surprise start, likely as a tactical wrinkle to catch New York off guard. But it didn’t pan out.
Defensively, he struggled to keep up, and the Knicks targeted him early. He did knock down a couple of shots, but his minutes were limited as the game wore on.
It felt like a swing-and-miss experiment, and the coaching staff quickly pivoted.
Sandro Mamukelashvili: 27 MIN, 9 PTS, 7 REB, 2 BLK, 3-9 FG
Mamu played his role well. He wasn’t flashy, but he made smart cuts, filled lanes in transition, and stayed active on the glass.
His two blocks were timely, and he had a nice finish off a slip screen. With Toronto’s main scorers struggling, there wasn’t much for him to feed off of, but he stayed engaged and did the little things.
Ochai Agbaji: 17 MIN, 6 PTS, 5 REB, 3-4 FG
Agbaji was all about the dirty work. He battled on the boards, ran the floor, and even caught a lob for a dunk that injected some life into the team. He didn’t take a single three, but his impact came in the form of hustle and toughness - exactly what you want from a bench wing in a physical matchup.
Gradey Dick: 18 MIN, 2 PTS, 3 REB, 1-4 FG
Dick didn’t get many looks, and when he did, they didn’t fall. But his role tonight was more about spacing and drawing defenders than racking up points.
Defensively, he showed effort - closing out hard, pressuring the ball, and staying active. It wasn’t a standout game, but he didn’t hurt the team either.
Jamal Shead: 17 MIN, 2 PTS, 5 AST, 4 STL, 1-6 FG
Shead brought the grit on defense. He hounded Jalen Brunson, making him work for every inch of space.
Offensively, he missed a few clean looks, but his playmaking and four steals speak to his defensive instincts. In a game where Toronto needed someone to set the tone defensively, Shead stepped up - even if the box score doesn’t fully reflect it.
Ja’Kobe Walter: 21 MIN, 7 PTS, 4 REB, 2 BLK, 3-7 FG
Walter’s defensive footwork stood out. He stayed in front of Brunson as well as anyone could, using his lateral quickness to cut off drives and contest shots.
Offensively, he had a couple of strong moments, but his biggest value came on the defensive end. He’s still putting it all together, but the tools are clearly there.
Coach Darko Rajaković: B Grade
Rajaković’s decision to start Battle raised eyebrows - and didn’t quite work out. But to his credit, he adjusted quickly and leaned into more productive lineups.
His rotation choices were generally solid, though he may have leaned too heavily on Ingram, especially considering the recent schedule. With Barrett out, the margin for error is slim, and the Raptors are still figuring out how to strike the right balance.
What We Saw
This wasn’t one of those all-time bad losses that fans will remember for years - but it was a missed opportunity. The Raptors had a chance to respond after a tough loss to Charlotte, and they didn’t. They had a chance to counter a Knicks team that got hot from deep, and they fell short again.
That said, this group has shown what it's capable of. Barnes continues to grow into a star, Quickley is proving to be a dynamic offensive weapon, and Murray-Boyles is making a case for more minutes. The blueprint for winning is there - but the execution, especially on the second night of a back-to-back, just wasn’t.
The absence of RJ Barrett continues to loom large. Without his driving ability and paint presence, Toronto’s offense lacks that downhill threat that keeps defenses honest. He can’t return soon enough.
November was a strong month overall, but it’s clear the Raptors have started to cut a few corners. These back-to-back losses are a reminder: this team knows how to win, but it’s not good enough to take shortcuts. There’s still plenty of season left - and plenty of lessons to take from nights like this.