In a thrilling showdown, the Toronto Raptors outmuscled the Portland Trail Blazers 110-98, but here’s where it gets controversial: did Portland’s absence of star forward Deni Avdija truly tip the scales? On January 23, 2026, the Raptors secured their third consecutive win, led by Sandro Mamukelashvili’s 22 points and Brandon Ingram’s 20-point contribution. Despite the Trail Blazers outshooting them from the 3-point line (39-27) and winning the turnover battle (16-13), Toronto’s balanced attack and clutch moments sealed the deal. But this is the part most people miss: Portland’s abysmal 15.4% field goal percentage in the first quarter (4 for 26) kept them from capitalizing early, even though the Raptors only led 19-12 after one. Jrue Holiday’s 21-point effort and Shaedon Sharpe’s matching performance weren’t enough to extend Portland’s four-game win streak. And here’s the kicker: Caleb Love’s late 3-pointer brought the Blazers within 98-94, but Toronto’s resilience shut the door. Was this a case of the Raptors’ depth prevailing, or did Portland’s early shooting woes doom them from the start? Let’s dive deeper. The Raptors led 50-43 at halftime and maintained control despite Portland’s brief third-quarter lead, sparked by Love’s layup. Donovan Clingan’s early fourth-quarter basket gave the Blazers a fleeting 78-76 lead, but back-to-back Raptors 3-pointers and Scottie Barnes’ dunk quickly shifted momentum. Mamukelashvili’s crucial layup and Ingram’s rebound basket extended the lead to 10, effectively icing the game. But here’s the real question: If Avdija had played, would the outcome have been different? Share your thoughts below—this debate is far from over. Up next, the Raptors visit Oklahoma City on Sunday, while the Trail Blazers head to Boston on Monday. Don’t miss these matchups!
