RJ Barrett scored 25 points and Brandon Ingram added 16 points and nine rebounds in his Toronto debut as the Raptors dominantly opened their season, routing the Atlanta Hawks 138-118 on Wednesday night.
Scottie Barnes filled the stat sheet with 22 points and nine assists, while Gradey Dick came off the bench to add 19 as Toronto’s offense caught fire early and never cooled off. The Raptors shot an impressive 57% from the field, including 69% on two-point attempts, and repeatedly punished the Hawks in transition to set a franchise record for points in a season opener — surpassing last year’s team high.
Playing his first game since missing the final 56 contests of last season with an ankle injury, Ingram showed flashes of his old form. The midseason trade acquisition went 7-of-16 from the floor, adding three assists and two steals in a strong first outing for his new team.
For Atlanta, Jalen Johnson posted 22 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds in his return from shoulder surgery, taking on an expanded playmaking role envisioned by head coach Quin Snyder. Trae Young also scored 22 points but struggled from deep, hitting just 1-of-7 from three-point range under relentless defensive pressure from Toronto’s guards.
The Raptors seized control late in the third quarter, using a 14-0 run to turn a nine-point lead into a 23-point cushion. Five different players scored during the surge, with Gradey Dick leading the push with five points. Toronto maintained complete control in the fourth, never allowing the Hawks to get within 20.
Kristaps Porziņģis, making his Atlanta debut after an offseason trade from Boston, finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks.
Up Next:
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Raptors: Return home to host the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night.
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Hawks: Travel to Orlando to face the Magic on Friday in the first back-to-back game.
