The Toronto Raptors faced a monumental challenge on Friday, January 9, 2026, entering the TD Garden in Boston severely shorthanded. Without their two best players and a third starter, the team succumbed to the Celtics with a final score of 125-117.
The loss dropped Toronto's record to 23-16, while Boston improved to 24-13. This marked the Raptors' third defeat to the Celtics in the current season.
Injury Woes Plague Raptors' Lineup
The Raptors were without their cornerstone, Scottie Barnes, who was sidelined after persevering through a knee issue in the previous game. Star forward Brandon Ingram also missed the contest, nursing a thumb injury. Friday night was the first time this season both Barnes and Ingram were unavailable simultaneously.
Compounding the issue was the continued absence of starting center Jakob Poeltl, who is battling a back problem. This left a massive void in both offensive production and defensive presence for the visiting team.
Valiant Fight Falls Short Against Celtics' Firepower
Despite the daunting circumstances, the Raptors showed resilience. The team briefly held a lead in the second quarter following a three-pointer from RJ Barrett. However, Boston's potent three-point shooting proved too much, allowing them to build leads as large as 12 points in the first half and 20 points in the second.
The fight took another bitter turn late in the game. With just 4:41 remaining, RJ Barrett turned his left ankle on a drive to the basket. After gathering himself, he walked off the court and directly to the locker room, unable to return. This injury was a cruel blow for Barrett, who had recently missed 15 games due to a right knee issue.
Key Performances and Takeaways
With Barnes and Ingram out, the offensive burden fell to Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett. Quickley was aggressive from the start, looking for his shot and facilitating for others. Barrett was equally forceful until his unfortunate exit.
Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles (CMB) continued to show he belongs in the NBA, playing with physicality and fearlessness against taller opponents. He even threw down a thunderous left-handed dunk in transition. His development has raised questions about why he wasn't inserted into the starting lineup sooner during Poeltl's absence.
Another rookie, Jonathan Mogbo, saw early action off the bench. While still raw, Mogbo showcased his ability to run the floor and finish in transition, presenting an intriguing prospect for the Raptors' future if they can find consistent minutes for him.
The Raptors' second unit, including players like Jamal Shead and Alijah Martin, sparked a 10-2 run to end the third quarter, briefly cutting Boston's lead to single digits and demonstrating the team's never-say-die attitude.
In the end, the Celtics were deserving winners, but the Raptors earned a measure of respect for their competitive spirit in the face of significant adversity.
Looking Ahead
The Raptors now turn their attention to a back-to-back home series against the Philadelphia 76ers. Toronto recently completed a successful 4-1 homestand and will need to regroup quickly, with the health of Barrett, Barnes, and Ingram being the paramount concern for the team's immediate future.
