TORONTO – When Darko Rajakovic was asked for an update on injured offensive dynamo RJ Barrett before the Toronto Raptors’ third loss in a row on Sunday, the pinnacle coach promised an update later within the week.
Judging by the best way Barrett was hobbling around outside the Raptors locker room after his team’s 121-113 defeat to the Boston Celtics on Sunday, the Canadian requires more time for his sprained right knee to heal.
Whether it’s good or bad news on the 25-year-old Barrett’s health, the remainder of his teammates know they must determine learn how to win without him. The Raptors have dropped five of their last eight games without the Mississauga, Ont., standout and five of their last six without Barrett.
“Getting used to playing without someone who averages 20 and is an actual focus in our offence (isn’t easy),” said Toronto guard Jamal Shead. “Getting used to attempting to produce other people step up, I believe we are able to do it. We just haven’t figured it out yet.”
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No one stepped up for the Raptors in the primary half of the Celtics game. The visitors enjoyed a whopping 77-59 advantage after two quarters. The second half was different as players like Shead, Ochai Agbaji and AJ Lawson of Brampton, Ont., began contributing off the bench.
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Shead and Agbaji nailed three-point jumpers late within the third quarter. Lawson drilled home one other three-pointer early within the fourth because the Raptors overcame a 23-point deficit to grab their first lead with a Shead layup with 10:39 remaining.
Agbaji finished with a season-high 11 points, his first double-digit scoring performance of the 2025-26 campaign.
“They should step up and help the team because we want each player on this team to step on the ground and contribute and to proceed working,” Rajakovic said. “We all know learn how to get there. We’re going to work on that, and we’ll get there.”
The poor first half left Rajakovic scratching his head. The 77 first-half points were essentially the most Toronto has surrendered in a half this season.
“Everyone knows who RJ is and what he brings to the table for us,” said Rajakovic. “He’s a vital player for us offensively, but I don’t want to take a look at it in those terms. He’s not here.
“We gotta figure it out. We’ve a greater than capable team. We’ve a whole lot of talent.”
The Raptors have the Latest York Knicks on the town for the fifth and final game of their homestand on Tuesday. It’s not only an NBA Cup quarterfinal, however the Raptors may even be out to avenge a 116-94 loss at Madison Square Garden without Barrett on Nov. 30.
“What I’d personally say is throw every little thing else out the window,” said Brandon Ingram, who led Toronto with 30 points on the one-year anniversary of suffering a season-ending left ankle injury. “We’re going through a little bit stretch where things haven’t gone our way. We’ve been in a little bit losing streak.
“But we’ve got to only remember what happened to us in Latest York, keep in mind that feeling. The most important thing is simply to clear our minds. None of us like losing, none of us like being in this example, so we just gotta are available with a transparent mind.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press