Raptors' Fourth-Quarter Collapse Leads to Stunning Defeat Against Spurs
In a dramatic turn of events, the Toronto Raptors transformed what appeared to be one of their most significant victories of the season into one of their most disheartening losses. The San Antonio Spurs mounted an impressive comeback, overcoming a 12-point deficit after three quarters to secure a 111-107 win on February 25, 2026, at Toronto's home court.
Strategic Misstep Proves Costly
The game's pivotal moment arrived at the start of the fourth quarter when Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic opted to rest his star players—Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, and Immanuel Quickley. This decision, intended to provide crucial recovery time, backfired spectacularly as the Spurs capitalized with a 7-0 run, swiftly erasing Toronto's advantage and shifting the game's momentum entirely.
Despite trailing 12 points entering the final frame, San Antonio's red-hot three-point shooting proved decisive. The Spurs connected on 6 of 12 attempts from beyond the arc during the fourth quarter, while Toronto's offense sputtered without their primary scorers on the floor.
Wembanyama's Impact Despite Quiet Performance
While Victor Wembanyama didn't deliver his typical dominant statistical performance, the 7-foot-5 French phenom still managed to influence the game significantly. Recording 12 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks, Wembanyama altered numerous Raptors' offensive attempts and demonstrated why he's considered the league's most formidable defensive presence.
Toronto employed an unconventional defensive strategy against Wembanyama, starting 6-foot-7 rookie Collin Murray-Boyles and later utilizing 6-foot-9 Sandro Mamukelashvili instead of traditional center Jakob Poeltl. This approach proved effective initially, limiting Wembanyama to just four free throws in the first half, but the Spurs star found his rhythm as the game progressed.
Key Performances and Statistical Breakdown
The Spurs showcased balanced scoring with Devin Vassell leading the way with 21 points, followed by De'Aaron Fox with 20 and Dylan Harper contributing 15. For Toronto, Brandon Ingram paced the offense with 21 points, while Immanuel Quickley added 20, and Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl each contributed 15 points.
The loss dropped Toronto's home record to 16-15, marking their second consecutive defeat following a loss to Oklahoma City. Despite the disappointing outcome, the Raptors demonstrated they could compete with the NBA's second-best team, holding a commanding lead through three quarters before their collapse.
Late-Game Drama and Missed Opportunities
The game's final moments provided additional drama as the Spurs missed three free throws in the closing 16.1 seconds. After fouling Toronto when needing a three-pointer to force overtime, Immanuel Quickley missed his first free throw attempt. Wembanyama then missed a subsequent free throw, giving Toronto one final opportunity. Brandon Ingram's difficult corner three-point attempt missed the mark, sealing the Spurs' comeback victory.
Historical Context and Player Connections
This marked Wembanyama's second career game in Toronto, a considerably less spectacular performance than his debut where he recorded 27 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 blocks. The game also featured emotional connections, with former Spurs players Sandro Mamukelashvili and Jakob Poeltl now wearing Raptors uniforms.
Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson expressed pre-game admiration for Mamukelashvili's development, noting the organization had hoped to retain the big man. "We wanted Sandro to return. We thought that he was growing and there was a role," Johnson stated, acknowledging Toronto's successful integration of the player into their system.
The Raptors' loss serves as a cautionary tale about strategic timing and the delicate balance between player rest and maintaining competitive momentum. As the season progresses, Toronto will need to learn from this experience while recognizing they possess the talent to challenge the league's elite teams when executing effectively for a full forty-eight minutes.
