Josh Lewenberg
@jlewenberg.bsky.social
Toronto Raptors NBA Beat Reporter @ TSN
Even the late Rob Babcock spent another 13 months with the Raptors after the Vince Carter trade.
The Mavs are firing Nico Harrison NINE months after the Luka trade.
Probably the 2 worst trades of my lifetime (not including some of the ones that didnt age well: Nets-Celts etc)
The Mavs are firing Nico Harrison NINE months after the Luka trade.
Probably the 2 worst trades of my lifetime (not including some of the ones that didnt age well: Nets-Celts etc)
November 11, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Even the late Rob Babcock spent another 13 months with the Raptors after the Vince Carter trade.
The Mavs are firing Nico Harrison NINE months after the Luka trade.
Probably the 2 worst trades of my lifetime (not including some of the ones that didnt age well: Nets-Celts etc)
The Mavs are firing Nico Harrison NINE months after the Luka trade.
Probably the 2 worst trades of my lifetime (not including some of the ones that didnt age well: Nets-Celts etc)
The NBA has fined Brandon Ingram $25k for the water bottle incident from Saturday. Per the league’s release, “the bottle made contact with a game attendant and caused a game delay.”
Garrett was part of the clean-up crew 😂
November 10, 2025 at 10:33 PM
The NBA has fined Brandon Ingram $25k for the water bottle incident from Saturday. Per the league’s release, “the bottle made contact with a game attendant and caused a game delay.”
Mamu is questionable with neck stiffness for tomorrow's game in Brooklyn.
November 10, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Mamu is questionable with neck stiffness for tomorrow's game in Brooklyn.
Tough one. Second night of a back-to-back without Poeltl vs Embiid, Maxey & Co. on two days rest. A schedule loss that the Raptors nearly stole. They cooled down considerably after their brilliant 1st quarter but were able to hang around. Inspired effort, all things considered.
November 9, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Tough one. Second night of a back-to-back without Poeltl vs Embiid, Maxey & Co. on two days rest. A schedule loss that the Raptors nearly stole. They cooled down considerably after their brilliant 1st quarter but were able to hang around. Inspired effort, all things considered.
Barnes has been fantastic defensively to start the season but a rested Embiid is a tough matchup for him/most. Simply based on matchup, you could argue Poeltl should’ve rested last night but Atlanta game probably felt more gettable (plus higher stakes, if you’re into the NBA Cup)
November 9, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Barnes has been fantastic defensively to start the season but a rested Embiid is a tough matchup for him/most. Simply based on matchup, you could argue Poeltl should’ve rested last night but Atlanta game probably felt more gettable (plus higher stakes, if you’re into the NBA Cup)
Jamal Shead's now 12-for-27 (44%) from 3 this season after shooting 32% as a rookie. Also of note: he's up to 50 assists with just 11 turnovers. Really nice start to the year.
November 9, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Jamal Shead's now 12-for-27 (44%) from 3 this season after shooting 32% as a rookie. Also of note: he's up to 50 assists with just 11 turnovers. Really nice start to the year.
Collin Murray-Boyles has already faced 4 of the league's top-5 in rookie scoring (Edgecombe, Coward, Flagg and Harper). He’s outplayed 3 of them (all but Flagg).
November 9, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Collin Murray-Boyles has already faced 4 of the league's top-5 in rookie scoring (Edgecombe, Coward, Flagg and Harper). He’s outplayed 3 of them (all but Flagg).
Mamu is into double figures for the 6th time in the last 8 games. Last season with the Spurs, he didn't score 10+ points for the 6th time until Feb. 26, his 37th game of the year.
November 9, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Mamu is into double figures for the 6th time in the last 8 games. Last season with the Spurs, he didn't score 10+ points for the 6th time until Feb. 26, his 37th game of the year.
Gradey is nothing if not ambitious... but gotta pick your spots. Taking on Embiid in transition (when you have numbers) is, uh, definitely a choice.
November 9, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Gradey is nothing if not ambitious... but gotta pick your spots. Taking on Embiid in transition (when you have numbers) is, uh, definitely a choice.
Garrett was part of the clean-up crew 😂
November 9, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Garrett was part of the clean-up crew 😂
Both Barnes/Ingram have come up hobbling over the last couple minutes. Barnes came out & is stretching off to the side. Ingram just checked out as well. Neither ailment appears to be too serious, though BI tossed a Gatorade bottle in frustration (and inadvertently soaked Scottie)
November 9, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Both Barnes/Ingram have come up hobbling over the last couple minutes. Barnes came out & is stretching off to the side. Ingram just checked out as well. Neither ailment appears to be too serious, though BI tossed a Gatorade bottle in frustration (and inadvertently soaked Scottie)
Scottie Barnes just blocked Embiid twice at the rim in 49 seconds.
November 9, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Scottie Barnes just blocked Embiid twice at the rim in 49 seconds.
Some questionable coach's challenge decisions from Darko & Co. lately but that one was huge. Successful challenge saves what would've been Barnes' 4th foul, 24 seconds into the 2nd half.
November 9, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Some questionable coach's challenge decisions from Darko & Co. lately but that one was huge. Successful challenge saves what would've been Barnes' 4th foul, 24 seconds into the 2nd half.
Can Tyrese Maxey win Most Improved Player twice in three years?
November 9, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Can Tyrese Maxey win Most Improved Player twice in three years?
I'm a big believer in Ja'Kobe Walter's talent, but it hasn't looked good so far. 28% shooting, 4-for-14 from 3, more turnovers than assists, and the Raptors have been outscored in his minutes in 5 of the 7 games he's played. Wonder if some of those minutes start going to Battle.
November 9, 2025 at 1:33 AM
I'm a big believer in Ja'Kobe Walter's talent, but it hasn't looked good so far. 28% shooting, 4-for-14 from 3, more turnovers than assists, and the Raptors have been outscored in his minutes in 5 of the 7 games he's played. Wonder if some of those minutes start going to Battle.
Sixers just scored their first bench points of the game (a Grimes 3-ball) early in the 2nd quarter. The Raptors already have 27.
The Raptors have a 19-0 advantage in bench scoring over Nick Nurse's team after the 1st quarter 👀
November 9, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Sixers just scored their first bench points of the game (a Grimes 3-ball) early in the 2nd quarter. The Raptors already have 27.
7 Raptors have attempted a 3-pointer through 13 minutes. 6 of them have hit at least 1. They're 9-for-11 as a team.
November 9, 2025 at 1:16 AM
7 Raptors have attempted a 3-pointer through 13 minutes. 6 of them have hit at least 1. They're 9-for-11 as a team.
The Raptors have a 19-0 advantage in bench scoring over Nick Nurse's team after the 1st quarter 👀
November 9, 2025 at 1:13 AM
The Raptors have a 19-0 advantage in bench scoring over Nick Nurse's team after the 1st quarter 👀
Low bar these past few years, but this is the best/deepest bench that the Raptors have had since the championship season.
Shead, Mamu and CMB: 11 points, 4-4 FG, 3-3 3P in just a few minutes here.
Shead, Mamu and CMB: 11 points, 4-4 FG, 3-3 3P in just a few minutes here.
November 9, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Low bar these past few years, but this is the best/deepest bench that the Raptors have had since the championship season.
Shead, Mamu and CMB: 11 points, 4-4 FG, 3-3 3P in just a few minutes here.
Shead, Mamu and CMB: 11 points, 4-4 FG, 3-3 3P in just a few minutes here.
Would be loving the Sixers' throwback court if it wasn't giving me 2001 Game 7 PTSD.
(Also, really wish the Raptors were wearing purple right now)
(Also, really wish the Raptors were wearing purple right now)
November 9, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Would be loving the Sixers' throwback court if it wasn't giving me 2001 Game 7 PTSD.
(Also, really wish the Raptors were wearing purple right now)
(Also, really wish the Raptors were wearing purple right now)
The one thing you definitely didn't need to worry about re: Quickley's slow start was the 3-point shooting. With his track record, regression was inevitable... and now it's here. IQ starts 3-for-3 from deep after going 3-for-7 (and playing his best game of the season) last night.
November 9, 2025 at 12:50 AM
The one thing you definitely didn't need to worry about re: Quickley's slow start was the 3-point shooting. With his track record, regression was inevitable... and now it's here. IQ starts 3-for-3 from deep after going 3-for-7 (and playing his best game of the season) last night.
Barnes starts on Joel Embiid. Agbaji starts on the NBA's leading scorer, Tyrese Maxey. A tough matchup for anybody these days, but Ochai's probably better suited for it than Quickley or Barrett, hence the spot start (and it's a good thing he's got those fresh legs).
November 9, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Barnes starts on Joel Embiid. Agbaji starts on the NBA's leading scorer, Tyrese Maxey. A tough matchup for anybody these days, but Ochai's probably better suited for it than Quickley or Barrett, hence the spot start (and it's a good thing he's got those fresh legs).
With Poeltl out, Raptors will start small vs Philly. Quickley, Barrett, Ingram, Barnes and Agbaji in place of Jak.
November 9, 2025 at 12:07 AM
With Poeltl out, Raptors will start small vs Philly. Quickley, Barrett, Ingram, Barnes and Agbaji in place of Jak.
Raptors are holding Jakob Poeltl out tonight in Philly for (lower back) injury management. Likely just precautionary on the second night of a back to back.
November 8, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Raptors are holding Jakob Poeltl out tonight in Philly for (lower back) injury management. Likely just precautionary on the second night of a back to back.
The Raptors win ugly, but that’s not a bad thing for a team that’s still trying to find themselves early in the season. Post-game reaction:
November 8, 2025 at 4:08 AM
The Raptors win ugly, but that’s not a bad thing for a team that’s still trying to find themselves early in the season. Post-game reaction: