It’s hard to be mad at effort — but effort alone doesn’t win in this league.
The Raptors gave the Milwaukee Bucks everything they could handle on Friday night, but in the end, Giannis Antetokounmpo reminded everyone why he’s still one of the NBA’s most unstoppable forces. Toronto fell 122–116, a loss that stings more for how close it was than how it ended.
A Fight That Felt Familiar
The Raptors went punch for punch with the Bucks for most of the night. Every time Milwaukee looked ready to pull away, Toronto had an answer. Brandon Ingram was the heartbeat — confident, aggressive, and in full command of the offense in his home debut. He dropped 29 points, hitting tough shots and steadying the group when the game started to tilt.
RJ Barrett added 20 points, attacking the rim and playing with the same purpose he showed in the season opener. But while the offense looked fluid and balanced, the Raptors just couldn’t stop Giannis.
He finished with 31 points and 20 rebounds, and nearly all of it came in the paint. Toronto threw bodies at him, rotated help, and tried to wall him off — but he powered through everything. It was power, patience, and poise, all in one player.
Fourth Quarter Frustration
For three quarters, the game was dead even — tied at 86–86 heading into the fourth. That’s when things slipped.
Cole Anthony, quietly excellent off Milwaukee’s bench, scored nine of his 23 points in the final frame, breaking open what had been a stalemate. Toronto fought hard to stay within striking distance, but key misses and second-chance points from the Bucks made the difference.
It wasn’t a collapse — it was just the kind of late-game stretch where small mistakes add up. The Raptors’ defense held up for most of the night, but Milwaukee’s size, rebounding, and depth wore them down just enough.
Silver Linings and Hard Lessons
If there’s one takeaway from this loss, it’s that this Raptors team won’t go quietly. They’re cohesive, connected, and far more confident than last season’s version. Ingram looks like the missing piece Toronto’s offense has needed — someone who can both create and finish. Barrett has continued his strong start.
But the difference between competing and winning against teams like Milwaukee is slim. It’s about execution in the final six minutes — about getting that one stop, that one rebound, that one clean look when it matters most.
Final Thought
The Raptors are 1–1, but there’s no sense of panic here — just perspective. They stood toe-to-toe with a contender and made them earn every inch. That’s a step forward.
But moral victories fade fast in the NBA. The Raptors are done proving they belong. The next step is proving they can finish.