For many, the start of the 2025-26 Toronto Raptors season was quickly showing a bleak view of their position in the Eastern Conference, as they couldn’t match their strong season opener in the games that followed and instead went on a disappointing losing streak. If you think about that stretch, you also have to remember that Toronto was working on figuring out their roster chemistry, dealing with some major setbacks like to their key starting big Jakob Poeltl, adjusting to a new scheme, and it appeared as though lead guard Immanuel Quickley was stuck in a bad slump.
Adversity notwithstanding, the wealth of talent among the Raptors’ ranks is no secret to fans or the broader basketball audience. Do they have a single star overshadowing the rest? Not quite. In fact, their roster built around several 'average' or 'above-average' players has drawn some scrutiny from analysts prior to the season start, while others firmly believed in Toronto's somewhat radical strategy coming around — especially given their bold gamble to acquire Brandon Ingram and integrate him into their system.
Well, "putting it all" together is definitely one way to put it, as the Raptors are currently on a very successful streak that shows no signs of slowing down even as Toronto takes on a lengthy road trip. They currently hold a 7-5 record in the East, which is good for seventh seed in the conference, and are 3.5 games back from the first seeded Detroit Pistons (who are on an absolute tear of their own). While the main stars like Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram, and now Immanuel Quickley and Jakob Poeltl have been the focus, it's important to recognize the depth in Toronto's reserves who are proving to be the extra punch needed to help the Raptors push past the hurdle.
Raptors' ample talent supply is proving to be their winning weapon
According to a game notes release from the Raptors Media Hub on November 13, just before their second showdown with the Cavs, a very notable stat was highlighted:
"Over the past four games (Nov. 4-11), Toronto’s reserves has scored 30+ points three times and have outscored the opponents’ bench 139-to-102 (+37) in that span."Courtesy of Raptors Media Hub
Two gentlemen who truly deserve a lot of recognition for this development are backups Jamal Shead and Sandro Mamukelashvili. Shead has been tremendous so far in the 2025-26 campaign, and while he may never stand out with outrageous scoring stats, he consistently delivers strong defense, playmaking, and has been quite efficient at 42.4 percent shooting from the field and 45.5 percent from three. Likewise, Mamukelashvili is proving to be an absolute value pickup for the Raptors, serving as a capable scoring threat off the bench whether he's attacking down low or knocking down threes at an impressive 46.2 percent clip.
Collin Murray-Boyles is having a strong rookie year so far, and while some kinks are still being worked out, I believe players like Gradey Dick, Ja'Kobe Walter, and Jamison Battle will eventually find their consistent footing within this bench mob.