Amidst the grueling pace of the NBA, fatigue can become as formidable an opponent as any rival on the hardwood. For the Toronto Raptors, the wear and tear was palpable as they faced the New Orleans Pelicans, grappling with the aftermath of a double overtime ordeal just the night before against the Oklahoma City Thunder. On the penultimate leg of a six-game trek across the courts of America, their energy flagged from the outset—a palpable exhaustion seeding doubts of stamina and spirit alike.
Compounding their challenges before a single shot arced towards the basket, the Raptors were dealt a disheartening hand when RJ Barrett was declared inactive, cautiously tended for his knee’s well-being on the second night of back-to-back games. Barrett, whose exploits on the court were recently stymied by a sore knee causing a trio of game absences, had been stretched thin in the previous night’s double-overtime saga and was consequently prescribed rest.
Without Barrett’s kinetic presence, it was Bruce Brown who stepped into the void to commence play alongside a lineup that included Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, Jakob Poeltl, and Gary Trent Jr. The Pelicans, conversely, squared off robustly with a starting lineup of Jonas Valanciunas, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, and Herb Jones.
Brandon Ingram burst forth with vivacity for the Pelicans, seemingly igniting the court with his prowess. Toronto’s performance, meanwhile, was blighted early on by a scoring drought extending beyond five sluggish minutes, a lapse which swiftly manifested in a daunting 20-point deficit.
Ingram, leading the charge unrelentingly, had amassed 21 points by halftime, with Williamson contributing 14. The Raptors, their reserves called upon more heavily due to the previous night’s exertions, could only boast Poeltl and Gradey Dick with double-digit tallies—Poeltl with a modest 10, and Dick a notable 15 points, teetering on the verge of surpassing his career-high set against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Adversity did not relent; Gary Trent Jr. succumbed to lower back stiffness, bowing out during the intermission. The Raptors, trailing by 17, returned to play only to sustain their struggle. Brandon Ingram, in an exceptional showcase, notched an impressive 41 points, largely earned before the game’s decisive fourth quarter had even beckoned.
The Raptors’ pursuit of victory dwindled; the fourth quarter devolving into mere formality, the outcome increasingly certain. Yet within the evening’s disappointment, there lay a glimmer of personal triumph for Gradey Dick—22 points and an all-time high in minutes played. Amidst a season that began with challenges, including stints with the Raptors 905 and relentless training, Dick’s performance offered a promising glimpse into his evolving capabilities.
While defeat was marked by a bruising 138-100 scoreline, the largest setback Toronto had faced all season, the emergence of Dick as a growing force in the league would not go unnoticed. For those seeking silver linings, his advancement bodes well for the Raptors’ continued resilience and future prospects.
Now facing a well-deserved day of rest, the team will summon their reserves of fortitude as they prepare for the concluding clash of this arduous road trip—a Wednesday rendezvous against the Charlotte Hornets.
