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Published Nov 21, 2025 • 3 minute read
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Raptors' Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) and Washington Wizards' Kyshawn George vie for the ball at Scotiabank Arena, on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. Photo by Sammy Kogan /THE CANADIAN PRESS
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The team from the 6ix is on a six-game winning streak as the Raptors continue, surprisingly it must be noted, to be among the top teams in the NBA’s Eastern Conference.
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How long this run of success will last is anyone’s guess, but winning is never taken for granted and the Raptors should never apologize for feasting on vulnerable opponents.
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Add the Washington Wizards to the list of vanquished foes following Friday night’s 140-110 blowout at Scotiabank Arena.
During this six-game streak, the Raptors have beaten three opponents who entered the game with one win under their belts, including a woeful Wizards team that trailed by double figures early and provided little, if any, resistance.
When Washington did go on a rare mini-run, the Raptors would call a timeout to regroup before taking charge again. The energy around this group is positive and the team’s play, even if it is against inferior opposition, has been stellar.
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What’s particularly encouraging is how every player on most nights who enters the game contributes in some way on either end of the court.
The following are three takeaways from Toronto’s 10th win in the past 11 games that improved the Raptors’ record to 11-5.
Cup trail continues
Since the NBA Cup’s inception three years ago, the reaction among fans and players has been mixed.
It does provide an added layer of competitiveness and with the win, for the first time, the Raptors have advanced to the next stage in the NBA’s in-season tournament.
Toronto entered Friday as the lone unbeaten team in the East’s Group A division.
Following the night’s results that included a Cavs win over Indiana, the Raptors become the first team to advance to the knockout round.
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The Raptors are officially in the game. And more than anything, they are creating some attention league-wide the deeper they go into the NBA Cup tournament.
What’s known is the NBA Cup quarterfinals will be staged Dec. 9 and 10. As of Friday night, it was yet to be determined which day the Raptors will play and whether they’ll be hosting the game or be on the road.
Reserving judgment
One of the most surprising developments to the Raptors’ productive run has been the play of the team’s reserves.
Among the second unit, the two players who have stood out the most have been second-year point guard Jamal Shead and first-year backup centre Sandro Mamukelashvili.
The on-court chemistry is pretty obvious and it figures to get even better the more they’re on the floor.
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Head coach Darko Rajakovic uses his bench freely and he wasn’t reluctant to turn to his reserves in the opening quarter.
A high screen and roll Shead and Mamukelashvili ran was executed to perfection as the big man from Georgia finished at the rim.
Mamukelashvili wound up with 23 points on the night — one of four Raptors to reach 20 points. Brandon Ingram and RJ Barrett both had 24-point games while Scottie Barnes also had 23.
Shead, meanwhile, continued to protect the basketball and record assists, racking up a game-high 10 of them in 16 minutes.
The two weren’t just the best bench players, but were among the game’s best, if not the best on this night.
Poeltl needs touches
Let’s begin with the obvious in stating Jakob Poeltl isn’t going to be the go-to guy on offence knowing the Raptors’ starting group has more than enough players who need the ball in their hands.
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The issue surrounding Poeltl is that he’s often overlooked, which is quite shocking for someone who stands seven feet tall. He’s not used in high-screen actions as he was in the past and nor is he featured that often on the block.
Consider that in the opening half against the Wizards, Poeltl attempted one shot from the field.
It’s no misprint. He played 13 minutes.
Granted, he has been dealing with lower back tightness suffered in the pre-season finale. But he’s also shown to be effective when being incorporated into the offence.
Poeltl’s six first-half rebounds led all Toronto’s starters. He finished with nine, but just three points.
Mamukelashvili’s emergence has had an impact on Poeltl’s role.
The two are seldom on the court together, but the two do provide contrasting styles that allow the Raptors to play fast when Mamukelashvili is on the floor.
Up next
Raptors’ homestand resumes Sunday night against the Brooklyn Nets. Toronto beat the Nets 119-109 on Nov. 11 at the Barclays Center on Brandon Ingram’s 25 points.
fzicarelli@postmedia.com
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