After riding the wave of a nine-game win streak that gave Raptors fans something to rally around, Toronto has hit a speed bump - and it’s a big one. Back-to-back losses against the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks have brought the Raptors back down to earth, and while no streak lasts forever, the way it ended raises some serious questions about where this team stands heading into a pivotal stretch.
Knicks Deliver a Gut Check
The loss to Charlotte on November 29 was frustrating, but the follow-up against the Knicks on November 30? That one stung.
New York came out swinging, and Toronto simply couldn’t match the energy. Missing veteran center Jakob Poeltl, the Raptors were already behind the eight ball against one of the East’s most physical and deep teams - and it showed early.
The Knicks blitzed Toronto from the opening tip, racing out to a 21-point lead in the first quarter. By the end of the frame, the Raptors trailed by 19.
It wasn’t just about effort - it was execution. New York shot a red-hot 16-for-24 from the field and 9-for-14 from deep in the opening period, with Miles McBride lighting it up from distance (4-for-5 from three).
Meanwhile, Toronto's offense sputtered to a 9-for-24 start, including just 1-for-8 from beyond the arc. That kind of disparity is tough to overcome against any team, let alone a Knicks squad that’s been thriving on physicality and depth.
A Brief Spark, But Not Enough
To their credit, the Raptors didn’t fold. They clawed back in the second quarter, putting up 30 points and trimming the deficit to seven by halftime. Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley provided some much-needed offensive punch, and for a moment, it looked like Toronto might make it a game.
But the Knicks never really let them back in. New York dominated the glass all night, pulling down 61 rebounds to Toronto’s 40 - a glaring hole that Poeltl’s absence only magnified. The Knicks also crushed the Raptors in second-chance points, 22 to 9, a stat that speaks volumes about hustle, positioning, and physical presence in the paint.
Missing Pieces, Mounting Pressure
RJ Barrett’s continued absence is starting to loom larger than ever. What began as a chance for others to step up is now a reminder of just how much Toronto relies on his scoring and versatility. And while no single player is going to change the outcome of a game like this, the Raptors are clearly thinner without him - especially when they’re also missing their defensive anchor in Poeltl.
Fatigue may have been a factor - this was the second night of a back-to-back - but the issues run deeper. Toronto’s offense looked disjointed, managing just 94 points, and the defensive breakdowns were too frequent to ignore.
Whether it was poor communication, mistimed help, or simply being a step slow, the Raptors allowed too many uncontested looks. Against a team like New York, that’s a recipe for disaster.
Eyes on December 9
Here’s the thing: this wasn’t just another regular season game. This was a preview. The Raptors and Knicks are set to meet again on December 9 in the NBA Cup Eastern Conference quarterfinals, and if Toronto wants to flip the script, they’ve got some work to do.
The good news? They’ve got time.
With a full week to review film, adjust their schemes, and - hopefully - get healthier, the Raptors have a chance to regroup. Playing at home will help, but it’s going to take more than a home crowd to beat a Knicks team that’s proving it belongs in the upper tier of the East.
This isn’t panic time for Toronto, but it is a reality check. The nine-game win streak showed what this team is capable of when things are clicking.
These last two games have shown what happens when they’re not. The Raptors have the pieces, the talent, and the coaching to bounce back - but if they want to make noise in the NBA Cup and beyond, they’ll need to rediscover the chemistry and grit that fueled their recent surge.