Raptors Rally Past Hawks in NBA Cup Opener
Brandon Ingram led the Toronto Raptors with 20 points as they overcame a second-quarter deficit to defeat the Atlanta Hawks 109-97 on Friday night at State Farm Arena.
Game Summary
Trailing by 13 points in the second quarter, the Raptors gradually closed the gap and took the lead 82-81 on a Scottie Barnes layup midway through the fourth quarter. Immanuel Quickley then hit a crucial 3-pointer to push the score to 85-81, sparking a decisive run that secured Toronto’s victory.
Key Player Contributions
- Brandon Ingram scored 20 points.
- RJ Barrett added 19 points.
- Immanuel Quickley contributed 18 points.
- Scottie Barnes achieved a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
“Barnes’ fourth-quarter layup and Quickley’s timely 3-pointer were part of a late surge that sealed the victory.”
Team Performance
The Raptors shot 40.7% from the field and 31.6% from three-point range, hitting 12 of 38 attempts. They also dominated the boards with 48 total rebounds, including 23 offensive rebounds.
Hawks Overview
Atlanta was led by Jalen Johnson with 21 points, Nickeil Alexander-Walker with 20, and Kristaps Porzingis with 17. However, the Hawks struggled from beyond the arc, making only 23.7% of their three-point attempts. They played without All-Star guard Trae Young, who is sidelined with a sprained right MCL, and fell to 1-1 in NBA Cup play.
Season Context
Toronto rebounded from an early-season four-game losing streak and has now won two consecutive NBA Cup games and four games overall this season. The Raptors began the season with a win in Atlanta before the losing streak.
“Toronto has now won two straight NBA Cup games and four overall, rebounding from a four-game losing streak earlier this season.”
Author's summary: The Raptors overcame a significant mid-game deficit with strong performances from key players to secure their second consecutive NBA Cup victory, showcasing resilience and solid rebounding.