Raptors Let One Slip Away in Charlotte - And It Could Be a Wake-Up Call
The Raptors came into Charlotte riding a wave of momentum - a hot streak that had fans dreaming about playoff positioning and perhaps even more. But on November 29, that momentum came to a screeching halt in a game that wasn’t just a loss, but a missed opportunity wrapped in poor execution and questionable late-game decisions. The Hornets didn’t just beat Toronto - the Raptors beat themselves.
Let’s be clear: every streak ends eventually. No one expects a team to go undefeated for weeks on end.
But it’s how the Raptors lost this one that should raise eyebrows inside that locker room. This wasn’t a case of getting outgunned by a red-hot team.
It was a case of Toronto forgetting what’s made them successful during this recent stretch - unselfish ball movement, balanced scoring, and trust in the guy who’s been their engine all season long: Scottie Barnes.
Brandon Ingram Struggles in the Spotlight
Brandon Ingram has had some strong moments since arriving in Toronto. He’s brought a level of offensive shot creation the Raptors have sorely lacked in recent years. But against the Hornets, he struggled - and the team leaned on him anyway.
Down the stretch, the ball kept finding its way into Ingram’s hands, even as his shot wasn’t falling. That’s a tough spot for any player, but especially one who wasn’t in rhythm.
And while Ingram has delivered in clutch moments before - including a recent game-winner against the Pacers - this wasn’t his night. Still, the Raptors kept going to him, even when other options were clearly working better.
One of the most glaring moments came late in the fourth, when Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel hit a game-tying three - a shot that Ingram barely contested. On the next possession, Ingram tried to recreate his Pacers magic, but the Hornets were ready. The look was tough, the result predictable.
Scottie Barnes Was Cooking - So Why Go Away From Him?
Here’s where things get frustrating if you’re a Raptors fan. Scottie Barnes was in full control.
He finished with 30 points on 11-of-16 shooting, went 7-for-8 from the line, and added 12 boards, five assists, two steals, and a block. He was everywhere.
He was efficient. He was dominant.
And yet - in the final moments of regulation and overtime - the Raptors didn’t ride the hot hand. Instead, Ingram and Immanuel Quickley took more shots than Barnes, even though Barnes was clearly in his bag.
Now, this isn’t about throwing shade at Ingram or Quickley. Both are capable scorers and have proven they can hit big shots.
But this game was screaming for Barnes to take over. He had already scored five of Toronto’s seven points in overtime.
He was the best player on the floor - by far - and yet somehow found himself deferring in crunch time.
That’s not on him. That’s on the coaching staff and the play-calling.
When your star is in rhythm like that, you feed him. You let him close.
You don’t relegate him to a decoy while forcing tough looks for guys who don’t have it that night.
A Team Built on Depth Needs to Play Like One
Before RJ Barrett’s injury, the Raptors’ starting five - Barrett, Barnes, Ingram, Quickley, and Jakob Poeltl - had the distinction of being the only group in the league where each player scored 20+ points in the same game. That speaks volumes about the balance and depth this team has when it’s clicking.
But against Charlotte, that identity slipped. The offense became stagnant, the ball stopped moving, and the Raptors looked more like a team searching for a hero than one trusting its system.
Late-game execution is where good teams become great. It’s where coaching decisions are magnified, and roles become crystal clear. In this one, the Raptors lost sight of what’s been working - and it cost them.
Moving Forward: Learn From It or Repeat It
The loss to Charlotte doesn’t erase the progress the Raptors have made. But it does highlight a key truth about this team: they can’t afford to lose their identity in crunch time.
Not when the Eastern Conference is this competitive. Not with the Knicks, Lakers, and Heat looming on the schedule.
Scottie Barnes has shown - time and again - that he’s not just the future of this franchise, he’s the present. He’s the guy you trust with the game on the line. Toronto needs to recognize that and act accordingly.
This wasn’t just a loss. It was a lesson - one the Raptors better learn from quickly. Because in a season where every win matters, they can’t afford to give away games where their best player is playing like the best player on the court - and not getting the ball.