Raptors Rally Past Hawks in NBA Cup Opener
The Toronto Raptors rallied from a 13-point deficit to defeat the Atlanta Hawks 109-97 in their NBA Cup opener at State Farm Arena on Friday night.
Key Performers
- Brandon Ingram led Toronto with 20 points.
- RJ Barrett added 19 points, while Immanuel Quickley scored 18, including a crucial 3-pointer that extended the lead to 85-81.
- Scottie Barnes recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Turning Point
Midway through the fourth quarter, Barnes’ layup gave Toronto its first lead at 82-81. Quickley’s three-pointer soon followed, sparking a key run that secured the win.
Team Statistics
- The Raptors shot 40.7% from the field and 31.6% from beyond the arc.
- They collected 48 total rebounds, including 23 on the offensive glass.
- The Hawks made just 23.7% of their 3-point attempts.
Atlanta’s Performance
- Jalen Johnson led the Hawks with 21 points.
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 20.
- Kristaps Porzingis contributed 17 points.
The Hawks played without All-Star guard Trae Young, out with a sprained right MCL. Their loss drops them to 1–1 in NBA Cup play.
Season Context
Toronto, having rebounded from an early four-game losing streak, has now won two straight NBA Cup games and four overall this season.
“Barnes’ fourth-quarter layup and Quickley’s timely 3-pointer were part of a late surge that sealed the victory.”
Author's Summary
The Raptors came from behind to secure a gritty 109-97 win over the Hawks, powered by balanced scoring and strong rebounding in their NBA Cup debut.