TORONTO – It’s time for the Toronto Raptors to make their drive to the playoffs.
Brandon Ingram had a game-high 34 points as Toronto upset the Detroit Pistons 119-108 on Sunday, the Raptors second win in a row after a 122-115 victory over the Phoenix Suns two days earlier. Ingram, who compiled 70 points within the two wins, said Toronto’s improved play is true on schedule.
“I believe it’s around that point for things to start out clicking defensively, offensively,” said Ingram, acknowledging that the Raptors had lost 4 of their last five games. “We went through somewhat rough patch these previous games, but we found it.
“We had some conversations. Our communication on the ground has been good, and we’ve been capable of fight back after we’ve been down and stay together. So, , it’s constructing.”
The win over Phoenix was the primary piece of the muse, because it was Toronto’s first victory over an opponent with a winning record because the Raptors beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 103-101 on Jan. 25, a span of 19 games. The Detroit win improved the Raptors’ record against the highest 10 teams within the NBA to 4-19.
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Ingram was asked if the 2 victories will quiet criticism of Toronto’s performance against contenders.
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“Of course, but outside noise is outside noise, whatever opinion they’ve about us, that’s cool,” said Ingram. “We proceed to fight, attempt to be the perfect we are able to on each time that we play and live with the result.”
The back-to-back wins moved the Raptors (38-29) back as much as sixth within the Eastern Conference standings after a couple of days sitting seventh, atop the play-in bracket. Beating the first-place Pistons on Sunday put Toronto 10 games back of Detroit but, more importantly, half a game ahead of the Miami Heat.
“We actually desired to set the tone with our physicality, doesn’t matter who the opponent is,” said head coach Darko Rajakovic. “I actually have utmost respect for Detroit, I believe they’re a championship-calibre team.
“You’ve got to set a tone, not to reply to what they do on the court.”
A significant piece of Toronto’s temporary resurgence is that RJ Barrett of Mississauga, Ont., and Jakob Poeltl are each fully healthy again.
Barrett had 27 points and 6 rebounds against the Pistons, while Poeltl and Scottie Barnes each had a double-double.
Poeltl finished with 21 points and a season-high 18 rebounds, while Barnes added 14 points and pulled down 10 boards.
“Body felt really fresh. I don’t understand it’s a protracted season, like sometimes you only get up, you’re feeling somewhat funky and other days you’re feeling great,” said Poeltl, who has missed 35 games this season with a sore lower back. “It’s difficult to work out why some days are only higher than others.”
Barrett missed 15 games after he sprained his right knee in November. Rajakovic said now that Barrett’s healthy he can get more involved defensively.
“We’re preaching that to him there isn’t any physical attribute that he doesn’t have, that he’s not able to guarding one through 4 of anybody within the league,” said Rajakovic. “He’s just having that grit and mindset of doing it again and again and yet again.
“He showed us in moments that he’s able to doing it, but currently he’s doing it in for much longer, periods of time, and that’s really helping the team to win.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 15, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press