Fans are seeing ups and downs in the Raptors' 2025-26 campaign. After a rough 2-4 start in October, they posted a 12-3 record in November, then went on somewhat of an underwhelming 6-8 run in December.
But mind you, there are plenty of uncertainties surrounding the Raptors lately — especially when it comes to Jakob Poeltl’s injury issues, whether the high-cost Immanuel Quickley investment is really paying off, and thought-provoking trade scenarios that could unfold as the deadline approaches.
And while criticism and posing hard-hitting questions is warranted, it’s also important to recognize the Raptors' progress heading into 2026 and a vital second half of the season. Sitting at a 20-15 record, challenges have come their way, but it's still good for the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference — in a competitive landscape where the window of opportunity is wide open as ever.
Raptors' progress into 2026 exceeds their modest 2025 outlook
The Raptors may be 5-5 in their last ten games, but when you look at those 20 wins overall, it’s wild to think that last year, they didn’t even reach 20 wins until March. When they came into January 2025, the Raptors just held a measly 8-26 record, near the absolute bottom tier of NBA squads. Of course, Toronto finished the 2024-25 season with a 30-52 record and landed in the lottery, ending up with the ninth pick — a bit of an underwhelming reward to a losing season. However,rookie Collin Murray-Boyles is doing everything he can to make that selection worthwhile.
It became clear that when the Raptors went out of their way to acquire Brandon Ingram, they had a vision to integrate BI into their roster to create a stronger push in the East. But aside from BI, the rookie addition of CMB and a budget acquisition in Sandro Mamukelashvili, this Raptors team isn't all that different from last year's squad.
There were many expectations and questions about where the Raptors stood heading into the year, with some viewing Brandon Ingram’s potential as a risky, last-ditch move given his past team stints. While BI’s efforts alone haven't carried the team (a tip of the hat to Scottie Barnes is entirely appropriate also), his presence undoubtedly gives Toronto an edge they lacked last season. I think if the team had performed any worse than they currently are, it would be trending in the territory of a massive blunder.
Yes, they could be doing better in certain situations, like their recent loss to an underhanded Nuggets squad. But looking back, it’s reassuring to know that Toronto is on track to surpass many expectations and improve beyond the 30-52 record they posted in 2024-25. 20 wins entering 2026 is a commendable achievement for this Raptors team, considering where they started.
The main focus now is to stay motivated, keep their foot on the gas, and avoid complacency. Ultimately, the goal is to surpass their projected win total by a wide mile, prove the critics wrong, and develop a strong core ready to make a serious push in April. There’s still plenty of time and possible pathways to reach that level.