The 2025-26 Toronto Raptors have become the NBA's ultimate enigma, leaving fans and analysts alike struggling to identify the team's true identity. Are they the dominant force that opened the season with a 138-point explosion in Atlanta, or the struggling squad that followed that win with four consecutive losses?
A Season of Extreme Highs and Lows
The narrative of inconsistency has defined the campaign. After the shaky start, the Raptors appeared to find their footing spectacularly, reeling off nine consecutive wins in November as part of a 13-1 stretch that featured several blowout victories. However, that momentum has vanished as quickly as it arrived. The team has now lost four of its last five games, hitting a new low with a 111-86 home defeat to the Charlotte Hornets on December 5, 2025.
That loss to Charlotte, a team sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference with just seven wins, was particularly jarring. Despite a 24-18 start and winning the third quarter, the Raptors were obliterated in the second frame and allowed the first nine points of the fourth quarter, turning a manageable eight-point deficit into an insurmountable one.
Fatigue and a Grueling Schedule Take Their Toll
Head coach Darko Rajakovic had warned against using fatigue as an excuse before the Charlotte game, stating, "This is NBA. There is no place for fatigue." Yet, after the listless performance, he acknowledged the physical toll of a five-games-in-seven-nights stretch. "Physically, we were worn down," Rajakovic admitted. "We tried. But when you're trying and you're missing layups and wide open shots, it's hard to keep it up."
The schedule's impact is most visible on star forward Brandon Ingram. After playing in only 18 games last season due to a severe ankle injury, Ingram has suited up for all 24 contests this year. The wear is showing. Against Charlotte, he shot a dismal 3-for-13 from the field, missed three layups and a dunk, and failed to attempt a single free throw. His increased defensive effort within Toronto's up-tempo system is also sapping energy.
Guard Immanuel Quickley, who scored a game-high 31 points in the loss, rejected the schedule as a crutch. "You've got to make a choice," Quickley said. "That's why you train hard in the summer... for games like this. So schedule is never no excuse."
Critical Stretch and Potential Solutions Ahead
The challenges won't let up. The Raptors face the surprising Boston Celtics on December 7, followed by the marquee NBA Cup quarter-final against the New York Knicks on December 9—arguably the team's biggest game in over three years.
To navigate the long season and rediscover consistency, several solutions are apparent. The eventual return of RJ Barrett from injury will be crucial. Since his absence, the team has ranked last in three-point and free-throw accuracy and dead-last in offensive efficiency. His presence relieves pressure on Ingram and supercharges the offence.
Coach Rajakovic may also need to consider strategic rest for Ingram, who has no history of playing a full healthy season. Load management after the NBA Cup could be a wise investment in his long-term availability.
Furthermore, the roster construction presents a clear weakness: Jakob Poeltl is the only player taller than 6-foot-10. The team desperately needs another big man who can rebound and protect the rim. When the trade market opens more widely on December 15, as signing restrictions lift, the Raptors should explore using their wing depth and future draft picks to acquire the necessary size.
The Raptors have shown they can be brilliant. The task now is to solve the puzzle of their inconsistency before the season slips away.
