Brandon Ingram has peak flexibility after a record-breaking night in Toronto

The The Toronto Raptors have begun the 2025–26 season with giving a statement 138-118 win over the Atlanta Hawkssetting a franchise record for points in a season opener. Brandon Ingram made his debut after being sidelined for nearly a year with an ankle injury, and while he didn’t have a breakout scoring night, his presence already seems dynamic to the Raptors’ offense.

Toronto scored 36 points in the first quarter, led by the aggressive drives of Ingram and Scotty Barnes. Early pressure forced Atlanta to foul, and the Hawks attempted 15 free throws in the first quarter alone, while the Raptors barely got to the line. Although the defense was aggressive, Toronto allowed the Hawks to stay in the game, ending the first quarter with a 65-59 halftime lead. Ingram finished the night with 16 points and nine rebounds.

After the game, when asked about the statement this win sent to the league, Brandon Ingram responded with ultimate bending:

“I guess that means BI here,” he said.

RJ Barrett paced the Raptors with 25 points, eight rebounds and five assists on 75 percent shooting, including 2 of 4 from three. Scotty Barnes contributed 22 points, while Grady Dick came off the bench to score 21. Toronto’s bench was the quintessence of the team’s effort. Ochai Agbaji, Jamal Shead and Sandro Mamukelashvili all posted double-digit plus/minus ratings, with Mamukelashvili leading the team with a +21. Jakob Poeltl added 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting and Immanuel Quickley scored 13 points despite missing all seven of his three-point attempts.

The third quarter was decisive for the Raptors, bombarding the Hawks with 45 points to open the game. Axial sequences included bench formations with Dik, Agbadji, Shida and Mamukelaashvili, who combined for strong offensive rebounds and defensive plays. Defensively, Toronto applied extended pressure to ball handlers both in the half court and in transition, forced turnovers and created easy scoring opportunities.

For Atlanta, Trae Young and Jaylen Johnson each scored 22 points, Kristaps Porzingis added 20 in his debut and Zachary Rizacher had 16. Onyeka Okongwu came off the bench with 18 points, but Nikhil Alexander-Walker was stuck, making just 2 of 15 shots.

The Raptors return home on Friday for their first game at Scotiabank Arena this season, hosting Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks at 6:30 PM ET.