The Toronto Raptors opened a three-game road trip with a frustrating 96-81 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, December 21, 2025. Despite a spirited 15-0 run in the second half, the team could not sustain momentum, ending the night with a season-low 39 points in the first half.
A Game of Inefficiency and Brief Hope
The Raptors looked out of sync for much of the evening at the Barclays Center in New York. They were down by as many as 15 points before mounting a significant comeback. The most competitive basketball arrived in the fourth quarter, following a late surge in the third that briefly gave Toronto life.
However, Brooklyn responded with a run of its own to retake a double-digit lead. The Raptors' defence struggled, and the offence was hampered by too many quick, poor shots. Brandon Ingram led the team with 19 points, while Immanuel Quickley added 17. Star forward Scottie Barnes had a difficult night, scoring just six points on 3-of-10 shooting.
For the Nets, Michael Porter Jr. was a constant threat, scoring 22 of his team's first 55 points. He finished with a game-high 24 points, exploiting Toronto's defensive lapses.
Ongoing Concern in the Frontcourt
The Raptors' centre position remains a major question mark. Jakob Poeltl started the game but played only seven minutes before being ruled out for the rest of the night with back stiffness. His ongoing lower-back issue has become a persistent problem for the team.
In the nine full games Poeltl has missed this season, Toronto has posted a 4-5 record and has often been outrebounded. With him largely absent Sunday, the Nets dominated the glass, outrebounding the Raptors 48-39. The situation may force the team to consider holding him out until fully healthy or exploring other roster options.
There was a positive sign regarding another injured starter, as RJ Barrett (knee) was seen doing on-court basketball work before the game.
Travel Troubles No Excuse for Poor Play
The Raptors faced significant travel disruption before the game. Following their loss at home to Boston on Saturday night, their chartered aircraft experienced a mechanical issue. The team did not arrive at its New York hotel until approximately 5 a.m. on Sunday morning.
While the late arrival was far from ideal, head coach Darko Rajakovic and players dismissed it as a valid excuse for the performance. The tip-off was at 6 p.m., allowing for rest. The early game struggles were characterized by self-inflicted errors. Toronto had more turnovers (6) than made baskets (5) with 2:40 left in the first quarter, a stat emblematic of their decision-making and execution issues to start the game.
What's Next for the Raptors
The road trip continues with a quick return to South Beach. The Raptors will face the Miami Heat on Tuesday night, just eight days after beating them 106-96 in Toronto. In that previous matchup, Miami was without scoring guard Tyler Herro (toe), and reserve Nikola Jovic was injured early in the game.
Toronto will look to address its offensive consistency and interior presence as it seeks to bounce back from a sluggish start to this important trip.
