The Toronto Raptors reached the midpoint of the NBA season with a harsh reminder of the league's elite, falling decisively to a fully-loaded Philadelphia 76ers team on Monday night. The final score of 115-102 barely reflected the one-sided nature of the contest, which was effectively decided by a staggering first-half performance from the visitors.
Sixers Unleash Championship-Calibre First Half
Philadelphia set the tone early, delivering an offensive clinic that left the Raptors reeling. The Sixers exploded for 80 points in the opening half, shooting a blistering 73% from the field to build an insurmountable 29-point lead by halftime. The trio of Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey combined for 37 points in the first quarter alone, the highest single-period total surrendered by Toronto's defence this season.
"If this version of the Sixers shows up in the post-season, the Eastern Conference will have its hands full," the performance suggested. The Raptors, playing without key contributors Jakob Poeltl (back), RJ Barrett (ankle), and Ja'Kobe Walter (hip pointer), had no answer for Philadelphia's firepower early on.
An Emotional Ovation for Kyle Lowry
The most poignant moment of the evening belonged not to the scoreboard, but to a beloved former champion. With the outcome long decided, the Scotiabank Arena crowd began a persistent chant: "We want Lowry!"
Their wish was granted with 1:57 remaining, as Sixers guard Kyle Lowry entered the game for what is likely his final appearance in Toronto as a player, barring a playoff meeting. The arena erupted, acknowledging the architect of the Raptors' 2019 NBA title. Hallway tributes with photos of his tenure lined the arena, foreshadowing a future jersey retirement.
Lowry's on-court attempts—an airball, a front-rim clank, and a shot that rimmed in and out—were secondary. He held the game ball at the final buzzer as players from both teams acknowledged the significance of the moment for the franchise icon.
Raptors' Silver Linings and Mismatches
Despite the lopsided loss, there were minor positives for the home side. Brandon Ingram returned from a two-game absence due to a thumb injury and showed no rust, scoring Toronto's first basket on a smooth turnaround jumper. His presence alleviated some of the creation burden from Scottie Barnes, who logged 43 minutes in a thrilling overtime win against the same team just one night earlier.
The matchup in the paint, however, was a glaring challenge. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles drew the unenviable task of guarding the reigning MVP, Joel Embiid. While the rookie battled, the size and skill disparity was evident. The Raptors also tried using Scottie Barnes as the primary defender on Embiid, who showcased his soft touch and elite footwork throughout the night.
Sandro Mamukelashvili, scoreless in 18 minutes the previous night, at least managed to get on the board this time around, providing a small lift for a short-handed bench.
Looking Ahead for Toronto
The loss drops Toronto's record to 24-17 at the season's midway point, while Philadelphia improved to 22-16. The season series ended split at 2-2, with each team winning once at home and once on the road.
The Raptors now turn their attention to a road matchup against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. Indiana recently snapped a club-record 13-game losing streak and remains the only NBA team with a single-digit win total, presenting a potential bounce-back opportunity for Toronto before the schedule toughens again.
