Overall, Toronto’s strength of schedule rest of season is eighth-hardest in NBA and third-hardest in conference<\/p>\n
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Published Jan 02, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n The Toronto Raptors went 43-41 in 2025. That\u2019s a big step up from the dismal 20-63 they managed in the calendar year 2024 or even the 37-41 of 2023, but as a new year dawns, they\u2019ll be looking for a lot more in 2026.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Though head coach Darko Rajakovic likes to remind that his group is in Year 2 of a rebuild (a statement that\u2019s a bit debatable, since this is his third year in charge and half of the first could fairly be considered the first stage of the rebuild, the teardown to make way for what came next), circumstances have sped things along. That includes the ideal integration of Brandon Ingram, a big-time talent who has helped unlock what otherwise would be one of the worst offences in the NBA and, perhaps more importantly, the fact that the Eastern Conference is nowhere close to as loaded as the West.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n There\u2019s no point slowing the rebuild if it would take a full-scale disaster not to make the play-in this year, at worst, and since there\u2019s a solid chance the Raptors could finish in the top 6 and make the playoffs outright for the first time since 2021-22. If they get there, only a New York Knicks team that has had their number and could overtake Detroit for first in the conference seem like a terrible matchup for Toronto. Anyone else could theoretically be upset if the Raptors can get fully healthy, including a 100% sound Jakob Poeltl up front.<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Toronto heads into a somewhat rare two straight home games against the Atlanta Hawks Saturday and Monday, looking to create some separation with some other teams in the East as well as to build some buffer ahead of a challenging stretch of the season. After the games against the Hawks, Toronto plays at Charlotte and then Boston \u2014 both teams have had their number this season \u2014 followed by two at home against a Philadelphia squad that is finding its form and is sitting just half a game behind Toronto for fourth. After the lone easy game of the stretch, at home against Indiana, the Raptors will host red-hot Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers before heading West to visit the Clippers, Warriors, Kings, Trail Blazers and championship favourite Thunder on a long, gruelling trip.<\/p>\n We apologize, but this video has failed to load.<\/p>\n Play VideoSchedule will be challenging<\/p>\n Overall, Toronto\u2019s strength of schedule the rest of the season is the eighth-hardest in the NBA and third-hardest in the conference with remaining opponents posting a combined .508 winning percentage so far, per tankathon.com. Toronto still has nine combined games left against the two best teams in each conference (OKC, San Antonio, Detroit and New York). Toronto is just 8-9 to this point against teams above .500 and 3-5 against teams from the Western Conference. They\u2019ll need to prove they can handle stiffer competition moving forward.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The Hawks might have once qualified as such, but not anymore. After getting embarrassed 138-118 at home by the Raptors to open the season, Atlanta rallied to go 13-7 the rest of October and November. It appeared the team would be a clear playoff threat. But since, the Hawks have gone 3-11 before Friday\u2019s game in New York to sink to 10th in the conference.<\/p>\n The team appears to be at a crossroads. Much of the success this season has come without one-time franchise player Trae Young. Atlanta is just 2-8 with Young in the lineup (he\u2019s hurt again and was set to miss Friday\u2019s game, his third straight absence, though he could return for at least one of the Toronto tilts). There\u2019s been little indication a contract extension will be agreed to between Young and the Hawks, so he could be dealt before next month\u2019s trade deadline, opt out of his $48 million player option for 2026-27 and become a free agent this summer, or awkwardly opt in and stay a Hawk.<\/p>\n Jalen Johnson has stepped up as Atlanta\u2019s new top player this season, averaging 24 points, 10.4 rebounds and 8.4 assists in a point forward role that will land him his first all-star berth, but Toronto native Nickeil Alexander-Walker has probably been the team\u2019s next-best story.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Signed as a free agent after playing for three other teams over six years in the NBA, the former 17th overall draft pick is a leading contender for most improved player. Alexander-Walker has jumped from averaging 9.4 points per game (and never more than 12.8 for a season) to 20.3 on near career high shooting percentages. The standout defender who has been a key player for the Canadian national team is now showing he\u2019s much more than a solid reserve.<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Raptors need to take the scoring pressure off Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes<\/p>\n![\"Zaccharie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Brandon-Ingram-files-Jan2.jpg\")
Zaccharie Risacher, right, of the Hawks, loses the ball as he drives against the Raptors’ Brandon Ingram, left, during second quarter Emirates NBA Cup action at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Nov. 7, 2025. Photo by Kevin C. Cox \/ Files \/Getty ImagesArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.2.3\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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