TORONTO – The Toronto Raptors have missed the playoffs once more and might be about 20 video games beneath .500 when the common season wraps up on Sunday, however one thing feels completely different this yr.
Stars RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes in addition to head coach Darko Rajakovic all mentioned there was a distinct feeling at OVO Athletic Centre on Tuesday after Toronto’s closing residence follow of the season.
Though the Raptors had been eradicated from the play-in match on April 1, their 29-50 file with three video games remaining is an enchancment on final season’s 25-57 efficiency and the locker-room ambiance is noticeably higher too.
“Manner completely different, completely different vitality, completely different vibes, for certain,” mentioned Barrett, who’s from Mississauga, Ont. “I believe this yr we actually made a step ahead in what we’re constructing right here. I believe we’ve got some good items in these youthful guys coming in.
“I simply suppose that, simply the crew morale, the whole lot is on a excessive proper now for us. We all know what we’re constructing in direction of, so all people feels good proper now.”
Toronto hosts the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday for the final residence sport of the common season, then takes a swing by Texas with a cease in Dallas on Friday after which the finale in opposition to the Spurs in San Antonio on Sunday.
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The Raptors maintain the seventh-worst file within the NBA this season. With that comes a 32-per-cent likelihood at a prime 4 decide within the NBA Draft Lottery on Could 12 and a 7.5 per cent shot at first general. However the Spurs (32-46) may leapfrog them if Toronto finishes the season on a roll.
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Regardless of the sub-.500 file, Barnes mentioned that there’s a sense of hope for subsequent season.
“I see this crew going large locations, and the whole lot’s simply coming collectively,” he mentioned. “I simply can’t wait to see it come collectively, and we’re going to placed on a present. I’m simply tremendous excited”
That likelihood at a top-10 decide in a deep draft, coupled with a profitable class of rookies with Jamal Shead, Ja’Kobe Walter, Jonathan Mogbo and Jamison Battle exceeding expectations, means the Raptors may have extra depth subsequent season.
“We received some canines on our crew,” mentioned Barnes. “These younger guys, they arrive on the ground each single day and also you see one thing new.
“These guys are wonderful and so they’re going to be actually instrumental to our crew.”
One other vital piece for subsequent yr’s crew might be ahead Brandon Ingram.
Toronto received him from the New Orleans Pelicans on Feb. 6 forward of the NBA commerce deadline however he has but to play for the Raptors as he recovers from a excessive ankle sprain.
“We love B.I. B.I.’s cool, man. He’s cool,” mentioned Barrett. “He’s humorous, clearly one thing you guys (reporters) gained’t actually see.
“However we love having B.I. right here. He’s actually cool and we’re all excited for when he comes again.”
Though Ingram wasn’t anticipated to make his Toronto debut this season, Rajakovic mentioned on Friday that he was progressing and would begin to take part in full contact drills quickly. The 27-year-old Ingram didn’t follow on Tuesday however a crew spokesperson mentioned it was not a setback and that the crew may have an replace on him earlier than Wednesday’s sport.
Even with out Ingram, Rajakovic mentioned that the “vitality stage was excessive” at follow.
“Focus was at a excessive stage, you may by no means inform that you just’re approaching the top of the season,” mentioned Rajakovic. “Vibes had been actually, actually good.
“Guys had been actually locked into the follow right this moment, and that’s what you wish to see, you wish to see guys invested, working arduous and virtually (…) specializing in the following season and making an attempt to lock in.”
O SHEAD CAN YOU SEE
It’s grow to be a little bit of a pre-game custom for rookie guard Jamal Shead to bug his eyes out and play to the digicam a bit in the course of the nationwide anthems at Scotiabank Enviornment. He mentioned it’s all due to the encouragement of veteran ahead Garrett Temple.
“I did it just like the second sport of the season, and Temp was identical to, ‘yeah, that’s humorous. Preserve doing that,’” mentioned Shead. “The (sport ops) folks simply caught on. They do it each residence sport now, so I believe it’s fairly enjoyable to have a bit factor.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed April 8, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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