This one felt off from the start.
The Toronto Raptors dropped their third straight game, falling 121–103 to the San Antonio Spurs in a matchup that exposed one of this team’s early flaws: slow starts and inconsistent focus. Against a young, confident Spurs group led by Victor Wembanyama, Toronto found itself chasing from the opening tip — and never truly caught up.
Outworked Early, Outclassed Late
The tone was set in the first quarter, when San Antonio poured in 41 points. The Raptors looked reactive, not ready. Coach Darko Rajaković summed it up perfectly afterward:
“We did not come with the intensity and attention to detail that you need when you play on the road against a very talented team. They scored 41 points in the first quarter… After that, we really fought, but it comes down to discipline. We play hard — but we’ve got to play smarter too.”
He’s right. The Raptors did battle back. They cut the lead to single digits multiple times in the second half, but every time they clawed back, San Antonio answered.
Barrett Keeps Rising, Murray-Boyles Impresses
Despite the result, there were bright spots. RJ Barrett continues to establish himself as the Raptors’ most consistent scorer, finishing with 25 points and a powerful third-quarter stretch that kept Toronto alive. He’s attacking the rim with confidence and showing more control offensively — a sign of maturity and rhythm within Darko’s system.
Collin Murray-Boyles turned in a strong performance with 19 points, active defense, and a noticeable energy shift when he was on the floor. Rajaković praised his effort postgame, saying:
“Very impressive effort. He was guarding multiple players, created deflections and steals, and found a good offensive rhythm. Really happy for him — he had a real impact on the game.”
Those two were tone-setters last night — something Toronto desperately needs as it finds its footing early in the season.
Wembanyama’s Shadow
It’s hard to win when a player like Victor Wembanyama is dictating everything on both ends. He finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds, and only one official block, but his impact went far beyond the box score.
“He changed a lot of shots,” Rajaković said. “Every time you go to the rim, you feel his presence.”
The Raptors adjusted better in the second half, finding ways to score inside, but by then, the damage was done.
Discipline Over Drama
This loss wasn’t about talent—it was about consistency. The Raptors showed flashes of brilliance but lacked the composure to maintain it. Their effort and focus wavered throughout, which remains puzzling for a team aiming to exceed expectations and silence critics.
Jakob Poeltl’s early exit with back tightness didn’t help, but Toronto’s problems were deeper than one absence. This was a team still trying to define itself — when to push, when to settle, and how to play within its structure.
There’s no reason to panic, but there’s reason to expect more.
Final Thought
The Raptors have the pieces. They have depth, versatility, and flashes of brilliance from Barrett, Barnes, and Murray-Boyles. What they don’t have yet is discipline — the thing that separates good teams from great ones.
Game 4 wasn’t about effort — it was about control. And until Toronto finds it, nights like this will keep slipping away.