The Toronto Raptors may be in a rebuilding phase, but their back-to-back wins against the Orlando Magic proved they’re still capable of delivering big moments. Fueled by a “next man up” mentality, Toronto showed resilience, depth, and poise under pressure—most notably when rookie Ja’Kobe Walter buried a game-winning three-pointer on Tuesday night.

Though Toronto remains near the bottom of the standings, performances like these keep the locker room engaged and the organization excited for what’s ahead.

Game 1: Surviving the Storm

The first matchup on Sunday saw Toronto control much of the game, led by RJ Barrett’s early energy and a defensive effort that held Orlando in check. By the fourth quarter, the Raptors had built an 18-point lead and looked in command.

But the Magic wouldn’t go down quietly. A late rally brought them within striking distance, and a potential game-tying layup rimmed out in the final seconds, allowing the Raptors to escape with a 104-102 win. It wasn’t perfect, but Toronto’s ability to withstand Orlando’s surge set the tone for the rematch.

Game 2: Walter’s Moment

Tuesday night’s game was another grind, as both teams battled in a physical, hard-fought contest. The Magic, still adjusting after the loss of Jalen Suggs to season-ending knee surgery, leaned heavily on Paolo Banchero, who erupted for 41 points—22 of them in the fourth quarter alone.

Toronto once again built a late lead, fueled by aggressive play and a bench that stepped up in big moments. Walter and A.J. Lawson provided key buckets to keep the Raptors ahead, and their growing confidence showed.

“We know we are the young guys… we ain’t really been in that situation all together, but we knew we had to execute down the stretch. AJ’s shot was huge for us, gave us momentum and stopped theirs,” Walter said after the game.

But Banchero was relentless, taking over in the closing minutes to push Orlando ahead. His two free throws with 4.1 seconds left put the Magic up 113-111, setting the stage for one final possession for Toronto.

As the Raptors huddled during a timeout, Walter already had a vision in his mind.

“Going into the timeout, I was already kind of just picturing in my mind, honestly, hitting my first game winner. Coach drew up the play for me, and no matter what, I was going to try to get open.”

What happened next was the kind of moment every young player dreams of. Walter broke free just enough to get a clean look, rose up over his defender, and drained a contested three-pointer with 0.5 seconds remaining. The Raptors’ bench erupted, and Walter etched his name into the team’s highlight reel.

“That was probably really my first game winner in my life, so I’m definitely going to remember that one.”

The physicality of the game played a role in Toronto’s intensity down the stretch. With Barrett setting the tone on both ends, the Raptors refused to be pushed around.

“It’s hoops, we’re all competing. I know what type of person R.J. is when he gets competitive, so I wasn’t shocked by any of it. I think it actually fueled us even more—we started really attacking and going on a run after that,” Walter added.

For head coach Darko Rajaković, these moments are invaluable for a young team learning how to close out games.

“There is no better school than this for them—to be on the court, play in close games, and go through all of that. I thought they handled it well.”

Building Blocks for the Future

For a team in transition, these kinds of wins matter. Toronto’s depth shined, with bench players stepping up when needed, reinforcing the “next man up” mentality that can fuel long-term growth. Walter’s heroics, Barrett’s leadership, and the Raptors’ ability to execute late all signal that there’s something worth building here.

Yes, the Raptors are still a bottom team, but moments like these prove that the fight is still there. And for a young squad searching for its identity, that’s just as important as the wins themselves.

Written by Josh MacDonald
Edited by Josh Elijah