Red-hot Raptors have a chance to ignite Toronto sports momentum again
For much of Darko Rajakovic’s first two seasons as head coach of the Toronto Raptors, nobody could really fault you much if you weren’t paying too much attention to the team.
Across the last two years, they went a combined 55-109, not exactly considered among the NBA’s elite.
For a fanbase that’s used to playoff runs and even the occasional championship, the Raptors weren’t doing much to foster a whole new generation of fans.
But early in the 2025-26 season, it appears that the team’s interest in a patient rebuild has been paying off, with last season’s hot trade acquisition Brandon Ingram right back in the form that made him an All-Star some six seasons ago.
At 9-5, they’re good enough for third in the Eastern Conference and in the midst of winning eight of their last nine games.
“I think it’s very cool to see the growth of the team. Guys that, you know, they’re playing more like [Jakob Poeltl] and Scottie [Barnes], like they’re really on it, they’re really enjoying this moment. But also the guys that are younger, it’s good for them to see what it takes to win,” Rajakovic said in response to a question asked by Offside.
Nobody’s ever won an NBA title — or even made the playoffs — based on a little over a month’s games into the season. But they’re already well on their way to topping their projected 39.5 win total, and perhaps shattering a few preconceived notions of what their team’s ceiling might be.
“Some of the younger guys, they might be in a different role or a smaller role, smaller role and less minutes, but I’m really proud of how they’re embracing it and how they’re finding ways to help the team there on the court,” Rajakovic added.
After seeing the Blue Jays go on a World Series run just down the street from them, it’s obvious there’s an appetite for more winning teams in Toronto. And with the Maple Leafs looking like a team headed in the wrong direction rather than the right one, the Raptors might have a unique chance to capture the city’s sports frenzy once again.
With the Toronto Tempo coming in as the WNBA’s first Canadian franchise next spring, the Raptors’ season has everything right in front of them to make Toronto known as a basketball city once again. It’s not necessarily a competition between them and Toronto’s other teams, but rather the chance to get the local fanbase believing in their teams with a similar connection to the 2019 team.
But for Barnes, the longest-tenured Raptor, he’s not looking too far ahead at the moment as he looks to make a push for the postseason for just the second time in his career.
“It’s great that we’re winning… but keep staying humble, keep staying hungry,” said Barnes.
“It’s the beginning of the season. But we’re really good. We’re really talented. People are going to keep continuing to see that.”
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