Raptors are overlooking the best roles for Immanuel Quickley and Jamal Shead
Immanuel Quickley and Jamal Shead have struggled to start the season. Could there be a role change that better suits their strengths?
Raptors
Latest news and updates about the Raptors
Raptors–Dejounte Murray fit makes sense in theory, but the risks outweigh the payoff
A Dejounte Murray trade could address Toronto’s point guard needs, but his shooting, recent defensive concerns and injury history make the risks hard to ignore.
VJ Edgecombe backs Joel Embiid through slump: ‘Nobody can stop you’
VJ Edgecombe reassures a struggling Joel Embiid, reminding the MVP‑caliber center that "nobody can stop you" despite a recent shooting slump. Embiid finished with 20 points on 7‑of‑17 shooting in the Sixers' 123‑112 win over Toronto, though he missed all three threes and is 2‑of‑29 from deep in his last ten games. After a knee scare early in the first quarter, Embiid returned and helped the team, while Tyrese Maxey led with 27 points. Edgecombe says Embiid is regaining his rhythm and confidence.
Seal breakers: Simons, KCP bust open the basket and spark Sixers comeback
Anfernee Simons and Kentavious Caldwell‑Pope ignited Philadelphia’s comeback Thursday, knocking down eight of 11 three‑pointers between them as the Sixers erased a 17‑point deficit to beat the Toronto Raptors 123‑112. Simons finished with 17 points, hitting five of six threes, while KCP added 11 points on three of five attempts, including a buzzer‑beating three that cut the lead to nine. Coach Nick Nurse praised the bench burst after a night of missed wide‑open threes from the Raptors, noting the spark lifted the team’s energy. The win highlighted Philadelphia’s reliance on defense, rebounding and timely shooting despite not being a three‑point‑focused squad.
76ers’ proven veteran depth made the difference Toronto is still struggling to find
Anfernee Simons and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope gave Philadelphia a crucial veteran boost, highlighting Toronto’s lack of proven depth in that category.
Why failure without Kawhi Leonard is ok, but not without Scottie Barnes
The Raptors are struggling without both All‑Stars this season. Kawhi Leonard, sidelined early in his second stint, has already cost Toronto a 3‑6 record versus a 17‑5 mark in 2018‑19, and his return remains uncertain. More damaging, however, is the recent groin strain to Scottie Barnes, who has been key to the team's offense. With Barnes out against Boston and Philadelphia, the Raptors can’t gauge how they’ll perform in a true "no‑Kawhi" playoff scenario. While RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl have shown flashes, the franchise’s goal of consistent wins and lockdown defense feels out of reach until the All‑Stars return.
Raptors could solve three major roster problems with one bold Naz Reid trade
Naz Reid could improve the Raptors' floor spacing, bench scoring, and big man depth all in one trade involving RJ Barrett and draft capital.
Bulls Sign Orlando Robinson To Non-Guaranteed Deal
The Chicago Bulls fill their final roster spot by signing 26‑year‑old center Orlando Robinson to a non‑guaranteed deal. Robinson, who previously spent training camp with the Bulls and was waived before the season, averaged 6.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists in three preseason games. He has four years of NBA experience with the Heat, Kings, Raptors and Magic, posting career averages of 4.6 PPG, 3.8 RPG and 1.2 APG over 115 games. The move frees up the Bulls’ two‑way players to be active in up to 150 games, giving coach Tiago Splitter more roster flexibility.
Raptors should experiment with Collin Murray-Boyles in Scottie Barnes' role
It's time to give Collin Murray-Boyles more on-ball reps and for the Raptors to let him play the Scottie Barnes role.
He’s here, he’s there, he’s every-f—ing-where, VJ Edgecombe
VJ Edgecombe proved his all‑around value in the Sixers’ 123‑112 win over the Toronto Raptors on Nov. 12, 2026. With LeBron James sidelined, the rookie logged 15 points, eight assists, eight rebounds, three steals and a block, showcasing aggressive drives, dazzling dunks and solid defense. Teammates Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid praised his "VJ stuff," while coach Nick Nurse highlighted his decisive playmaking in varied lineups. Edgecombe’s versatile performance silences offseason doubts about his role on Philadelphia’s star‑filled roster and hints at continued growth in his sophomore year.
Raptors need to stop waiting and give Jamison Battle a starting opportunity
The Raptors need Jamison Battle's shooting in the starting lineup, as they clearly need a shake-up amid a three-game losing streak.
Raptors' loss to 76ers reinforces that their supporting cast isn't consistent enough
The Raptors don't have anyone to count on night to night, and that may not be a problem that just disappears when this group gets healthy.
The Lakers’ schedule will give them runway into big early-season tests
The Lakers enter the season 11-2, riding a seven‑game win streak despite a grueling early schedule that included three back‑to‑backs and multiple three‑games‑in‑four‑nights stretches. Key players Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves returned from the first road trip battered, yet the team secured wins over Detroit, Atlanta, Portland and Toronto and survived without its stars in several games. After a three‑day break, they face the Phoenix Suns before a home stretch against the Hornets, Utah and Sacramento, followed by a tough three‑game road gauntlet against San Antonio, Memphis and Houston – all before Thanksgiving. If they keep this pace, Los Angeles could match a 16‑2 record, a feat not seen since their 2019‑20 championship run.
Alijah Martin’s emergence is an important win amid the Raptors’ losing streak
Alijah Martin continues to look like a capable role player, and that’s a win for the Raptors.
Joel Embiid’s aggressiveness was a welcome sight for Sixers
After a rough start to the season, Joel Embiid shows a promising spark against the Toronto Raptors. Despite shooting just 7‑of‑17 (20 points) and still battling plantar fasciitis, Embiid’s defensive movement improves and he finishes with two dunks, energizing a 76ers win. Coach Nick Nurse praises his renewed aggression after Embiid returned from a brief knee‑bump injury, noting more paint attacks and a willingness to drive. While his mid‑range game remains underwhelming, the uptick in physical play offers a hopeful sign for Philadelphia as they aim to sustain their 10‑3 start.
Sixers Notes: Embiid, Walker, Fall, Edgecombe
Joel Embiid shows signs of recovery, scoring 20 points with a few dunks in the Sixers’ Thursday win over Toronto despite lingering plantar‑fasciitis. Coach Nick Nurse praised Embiid’s improved movement and rim protection. The team’s depth concerns linger as Ariel Hukporti’s Achilles tear and injuries to Adem Bona and Dominick Barlow limit front‑court options. Power forward Jabari Walker steps up, emphasizing early physicality, while Jaylen Brown pushes for more minutes for 7½‑foot Tacko Fall, who’s returning from a quad strain. Rookie VJ Edgecombe, second in the league for dunks, eyes the All‑Star Slam Dunk Contest.
Barrett’s big night goes to waste as Raptors blow another lead
The Raptors squandered a 17‑point first‑quarter lead to fall 112‑123 to the Philadelphia 76ers, extending their losing streak to three. RJ Barrett exploded for a season‑high 31 points, 14 rebounds and five assists, while Immanuel Quickley added 26 points, but the rest of Toronto’s roster went silent. Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey led the comeback with 27 points, and Joel Embiid contributed 20 as the Sixers erased the gap in the second quarter and never looked back. Despite solid early defense on Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid, the Raptors' second‑half slump and turnovers proved costly.
The Raptors are being confronted with their flaws
Samson Folk and Trevon Heath break down the Toronto Raptors' recent struggles, highlighting the team's reliance on inconsistent performances from players like Poeltl and the lingering injury concerns for Leonard and Barnes. They question coach Rajakovic's decision‑making, especially after a disastrous loss to Boston that dropped the Raptors into a play‑in spot. While noting the potential for a turnaround with healthier stars and improved shooting, the authors warn the franchise has already staked its season on fixing deep‑seated flaws.
76ers’ VJ Edgecombe refuses to let Joel Embiid forget what makes him special
After a rough start that saw him stumble against the Toronto Raptors, Joel Embiid receives constant encouragement from teammate VJ Edgecombe. Edgecombe reminds the former MVP that “no one in the NBA can guard you,” boosting Embiid’s confidence ahead of Philadelphia’s 123‑112 win. Embiid rebounds with 20 points on 7‑of‑17 shooting, his first 20‑point game in five outings, though he still lags his MVP‑season averages (17.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 38% shooting in the first 10 games). Edgecombe’s vocal support aims to keep Embiid focused on his elite abilities as the Sixers seek early‑season momentum.
76ers-Raptors wasn't Joel Embiid's get-right game but there's progress
Joel Embiid is slowly getting his rhythm back, but 76ers-Raptors was not his get-right game.
Celtics’ Winning DNA Showed Up During 4-0 Road Trip
Boston’s Celtics prove their championship mindset on a flawless 4‑0 road swing, erasing a 22‑point deficit in Toronto after a gritty win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Derrick White leads with 19 points, 7 assists and 4 blocks, while Jayson Tatum drops 36 and sparks a 29‑6 run to turn a 59‑37 hole into a lead. Despite Paul George’s illness, the Celtics out‑shoot the Raptors and clinch the Eastern Conference’s best record, echoing their 2024 title run. Coach Joe Mazzulla emphasizes the mental lessons from the comeback, noting the win’s significance and its role in cementing Boston’s early-season 10‑2 start.
“That shit’s weak.” Scottie Barnes is proving Yaxel Lendeborg’s criticism right
Raptors forward Scottie Barnes is quietly silencing Yaxel Lendeborg’s flopping criticism by turning into a free‑throw‑driven scorer. After a pandemic‑era focus on foul baiting, Barnes now averages 23.5 points, 6.3 free‑throw attempts (4.3 makes) per game, ranking 20th in attempts league‑wide. He exploded for a career‑high 41 points against Orlando with only three trips to the line, then followed with 29 points versus Luka Dončić’s Lakers. The piece argues that Barnes’ offensive evolution validates Lendeborg’s earlier rant about MVP candidates relying on free throws, while highlighting the shifting perception of “flopping” in today’s NBA.
Raptors vs. 76ers: The good, the bad, and the Colin
The Toronto Raptors fought hard in Philadelphia, posting season‑best numbers from Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett (both 25+ points) but ultimately fell short to a 76ers squad missing LeBron James. Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown out‑lasted the Raptors, who ran out of gas late. Highlight of the night was Collin Murray‑Boyles, whose two‑way effort limited Jaylen Brown’s efficiency. The recap also notes the Raptors’ lingering injuries, urging Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Barnes to return to full health.
RJ Barrett: Raptors must learn to sustain their leads
RJ Barrett scored 31 points against the Philadelphia 76ers but said the Toronto Raptors must learn to protect their leads after Thursday’s 123-112 defeat. The post RJ Barrett: Raptors must learn to sustain their leads appeared first on TalkBasket.net .
Darko Rajakovic sees growth in Raptors despite loss to 76ers
Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic praised his team’s effort and development after Thursday’s 123-112 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, despite another defeat without key starters. The post Darko Rajakovic sees growth in Raptors despite loss to 76ers appeared first on TalkBasket.net .
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