The Toronto Raptors celebrated a significant victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder, showcasing their competitiveness in the Western Conference. This win occurred at the Paycom Center and marked the end of their five-game road trip.
Raptors Triumph Over Thunder in Road Victory
In a thrilling finish, the Raptors edged the Thunder by a narrow two-point margin. While point guard Jamal Shead missed crucial free throws with just 13 seconds left, Scottie Barnes managed to secure the rebound. Immanuel Quickley subsequently converted both free throw attempts, giving the Raptors a four-point lead. Thunder’s Isaiah Joe responded with a shot that cut the deficit but came after the buzzer had sounded.
Player Highlights
- Immanuel Quickley: Led the scoring with 23 points, shooting 50% from the field and 60% from three-point range, alongside 11 rebounds.
- RJ Barrett: Contributed 14 points in 21 minutes, marking a strong return from injury.
- Brandon Ingram: Scored 13 points, although his shooting percentage was only 27.8%.
- Scottie Barnes: Achieved a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, just two assists shy of a triple-double.
- Sandro Mamukelashvili and Gradey Dick: Each added 10 points.
- Jamal Shead and Ja’Kobe Walter: Contributed 9 points each.
For the Thunder, Shea Gilgeous-Alexander led the pack with 24 points, followed by Lou Dort with 19 points. Chet Holmgren also impressed, recording a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Kenrich Williams added 15 points off the bench, while Aaron Wiggins contributed 11, and Isaiah Joe finished with 10 points.
Season Overview
This victory is particularly pivotal for the Raptors, as it boosts their season record to 29 wins. They are now just one win short of matching their total from the previous season, with still a full month left before February. Their current 29-19 standing places them in third position in the Eastern Conference, trailing the Boston Celtics by less than a game.
The Raptors will next face the New York Knicks at Scotiabank Arena, with the game scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Fans can catch the action live on TSN Sports or stream it via NBA League Pass.
