The Toronto Raptors plummeted to a new low on Friday, December 5, 2025, with a listless and utterly disappointing 111-86 loss to the Charlotte Hornets at Scotiabank Arena. The performance starkly contrasted the excitement of the previous night's buzzer-beating thriller against LeBron James and the Lakers, marking a severe dip in the team's competitive spirit.
A Night of Misery and Misfortune
The game's bizarre tone was set early when a malfunction with the arena's strobe lights caused an approximate 12-minute delay. Once play resumed, the Raptors failed to generate any momentum. After a promising start to the season that included a nine-game win streak—snapped by these same Hornets in overtime just a week prior—Toronto looked mentally and physically outmatched.
The second quarter was particularly damning, as the Raptors allowed Charlotte to go on a devastating 17-0 run while being held scoreless for five minutes. They entered halftime with a season-low 42 points. The second half offered no respite, with the Hornets comfortably in control. The night's misery was compounded when forward Jamison Battle left the game with an ankle sprain.
Key Takeaways from the Debacle
Despite the team-wide failure, guard Immanuel Quickley scored a season-high 31 points in a lone bright spot. However, his effort was overshadowed by systemic issues.
Size and Depth Exposed in the Paint
Toronto's interior vulnerabilities were laid bare. Starting center Jakob Poeltl, who is being carefully managed due to ongoing lower back issues, picked up three first-half fouls, limiting his impact. His absence highlighted the team's lack of reliable size. Charlotte's second-round rookie, seven-footer Ryan Kalkbrenner, took full advantage, dominating the glass and scoring with ease against a porous Raptors defense.
Barnes's Inconsistent Night and Lofty Praise
Prior to the game, head coach Darko Rajakovic projected Scottie Barnes as a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. Barnes started aggressively, scoring Toronto's first seven points. However, his influence waned as the game progressed; he did not attempt a single free throw all night. Late in the third quarter, Barnes was forced to play center in a small-ball lineup, a testament to the team's scrambled rotations and lack of options.
Looking Ahead: A Daunting Matchup
The loss dropped the Raptors to a 1-2 record on their current five-game homestand. The schedule does not get easier, as Toronto prepares to host the revamped Boston Celtics on Sunday, December 7, for a 3:30 p.m. tip-off. The Celtics, who routed the Lakers on Friday, will present another formidable challenge for a Raptors squad in desperate need of a response.
The performance against Charlotte raised significant questions about the team's consistency and mental fortitude. With key players like RJ Barrett (knee) sidelined and others underperforming, the Raptors must find answers quickly to avoid their promising season start from completely unraveling.
