These circumstances have doomed the 2024-25 Toronto Raptors season thus far

Holding a 4-14 record, the Raptors are facing their worst start since the 2012-13 season, when they opened at 4-19. Currently, Toronto ranks 27th in the league and 13th in the Eastern Conference—disappointing, for sure, but still far from a complete disaster.

With that in mind, what exactly is responsible for the Raptors' poor start to the 2024-25 season?

Injuries galore

Even with a talent-rich roster, the Toronto Raptors continue to fall short of their potential, with injuries remaining a recurring theme. This issue plagued the team last season, contributing to their disappointing 25-win record.

Key players have consistently been sidelined, disrupting team chemistry and making it nearly impossible to establish any consistency on the court. Whether it’s star players missing significant time or other key contributors unable to stay healthy, the Raptors are once again grappling with the same challenge that hindered them last year.

Without a fully healthy roster, building momentum or regaining the rhythm necessary for success proves difficult. Until the Raptors can overcome these injury setbacks and achieve sustained health, it’s hard to see how they’ll turn things around. Fans are left wondering if this is merely a repeat of last season's struggles or if the team can push through and overcome yet another rough patch.

Scottie Barnes' extended absence

RJ Barrett has emerged as one of the most consistent performers for the Toronto Raptors this season, having played in 15 of the 18 games so far. His reliability on the court has been one of the few bright spots during what has been a challenging start to the year.

However, the team's issues run deeper, particularly regarding Scottie Barnes. Expectations were high for Barnes, as fans anticipated his development into a star for the Raptors. Unfortunately, injuries have prevented him from making the impact many hoped for.

After suffering an orbital fracture on October 28th against the Denver Nuggets, Barnes missed 11 consecutive games. During his absence, the Raptors could secure only two wins, underscoring how much the team struggles without him.

While Barrett has been steady, Barnes' absence has been a crucial void for the Toronto Raptors, significantly contributing to their disappointing record. For the team to turn things around, they need Barnes to return to form and play at the level everyone knows he’s capable of.

Lack of center depth

The Toronto Raptors' struggles with center depth have been a persistent issue, and this season, the problem is more evident than ever.

With Kelly Olynyk— the team's primary backup center—yet to play a game this season, Toronto has had to rely on Bruno Fernando, who isn’t the ideal option for the five spot. The team often turns to small-ball lineups, which only highlights their lack of a consistent center behind Jakob Poeltl.

Poeltl has been a standout, delivering an excellent season, but he’s shouldering a heavy workload as the team's only real interior presence.

Unfortunately, this has taken a toll on the Raptors' paint defense. They rank 23rd in points allowed in the paint, giving up over 50 points per game. While the Raptors excel on the boards, ranking 6th in the league in rebounding, their interior defense remains a significant weakness.

In a modern NBA focused heavily on drive-and-kick basketball, this vulnerability has contributed to the Raptors allowing 118 points per game, ranking 26th in opponent scoring. Until the team can bolster its big-man depth and improve its paint defense, these issues are likely to persist, hindering their ability to reach their full potential.

Missed playmaking

The Toronto Raptors have struggled at the point guard position in recent seasons, and this year, injuries have made the issue even worse. Immanuel Quickley was expected to step into that role, but after injuring his elbow in the season opener, he missed nearly two weeks of action.

Upon his return, Quickley played just two games before suffering a partial tear in his UCL, which has kept him sidelined. TSN’s Josh Lewenberg reported that Quickley won’t return until at least mid-December.

As a result, the Raptors are vulnerable at point guard, forced to rely heavily on Davion Mitchell as a starter or experiment with Scottie Barnes, yielding varying levels of success.

Additionally, Gradey Dick, who has shown promise in his second year, is also out with a calf strain. However, he is listed as day-to-day, so his return may be on the horizon. With both Quickley and Dick unavailable, the Raptors are facing significant challenges, particularly at point guard, where they’ve struggled to find consistency.

Looking ahead

The Toronto Raptors must address the ongoing issue of injuries that have hindered their performance in recent years.

Whether through improved load management, enhanced recovery regimens, or strengthening their medical staff with early intervention strategies, a change is necessary.

Injuries have affected key players, from Scottie Barnes to Immanuel Quickley, and without proactive measures, the Raptors risk facing similar setbacks to those encountered last season.

If the team fails to prioritize injury prevention and player health, they may struggle with consistency and performance throughout the year. Implementing a more effective system could be the key to turning things around.