Hornets' Sion James (left) strips the ball from Raptors' Jamal Shead (right) during second half NBA action in Toronto, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.
Hornets' Sion James (left) strips the ball from Raptors' Jamal Shead (right) during second half NBA action in Toronto, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.
Listless, hopeless and downright useless, Friday night represented the lowest of the lows for the Raptors, whose unexpected start to the NBA’s season has featured its share of high points.
Brandon Ingram has clearly hit a wall as the Raptors’ compete level against a pesky Charlotte Hornets team was severely lacking.
One night after the exhilaration of LeBron James’ visit with the L.A. Lakers, who escaped with a buzzer-beating three-pointer, the Raptors were embarrassed by a Hornets team that won one road game heading into the night.
A week ago, the host Hornets ended Toronto’s nine-game win streak in overtime.
No OT was required at Scotiabank Arena once the visitors began to take control in the second quarter.
When some kind of jolt was required, nothing was summoned by anyone.
There’s no other way to say it but to state the obvious, which is to say the Raptors were pathetic.
A sure sign of defeat was visible when Garrett Temple was given minutes midway through the fourth quarter with Charlotte comfortably in control.
To add to the night’s misery, Jamison Battle left the game because of an ankle sprain.
Toronto dropped to 1-2 on its five-game homestand following its 111-86 debacle to the Hornets.
The following are three takeaways on a night Immanuel Quickley scored a season-high 31 points, while his counterpart, LaMelo Ball, played only 12 minutes for the visitors before leaving with an injury after he slipped on the floor.
Very, very early into the night and the game was delayed for roughly 12 minutes when the arena’s strobe lights couldn’t be turned off, making for an odd scene.
The game itself had no buzz.
The Raptors showed little mental toughness in allowing Charlotte to go on a 17-0 run in the second quarter, a rough stretch that saw the Raptors scoreless for five minutes.
The half ended on a forced shot by Quickley.
Toronto’s 42 points at intermission were a season low, underscoring the club’s plight.
The second half began with Jamal Shead in the starting group for Ja’Kobe Walter, underscoring the injury absence to RJ Barrett (knee).
Walter picked up three fouls in the opening half and missed all three of his shots from the field.
Jakob Poeltl was back in the starting lineup, one night after he sat out as the Raptors keep a close tab on his lower back issues, which first surfaced in the pre-season finale.