Key Points
- The Toronto Raptors defeated the NBA-best Oklahoma City Thunder 103-101 on January 26, 2026, extending their winning streak to four games.
- Oklahoma City Thunder played without several key injured players, including Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein, which affected their depth and performance.
- Raptors capitalized on the Thunder’s limited bench and cold second quarter to take control, with key contributions from Immanuel Quickley, Brandon Ingram, and Scottie Barnes.
The Toronto Raptors delivered a gritty, statement-making performance on January 26, 2026, toppling the NBA-best Oklahoma City Thunder 103-101 at Paycom Center. In a contest loaded with intrigue—injuries, streaks, and playoff implications—the Raptors extended their winning run to four games, while the Thunder, still battered by absences, suffered a rare home defeat that sent ripples through the Western Conference.
Coming into the game, the Thunder boasted a league-leading 37-9 record, but had just absorbed a stinging 117-114 loss to the Indiana Pacers—a rematch of last season’s NBA Finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander erupted for 47 points in that contest, with Chet Holmgren adding 25 points and 13 rebounds, but even their heroics couldn’t cover up the impact of a depleted roster. Oklahoma City entered Sunday’s matchup still missing a slew of key contributors: Jalen Williams (hamstring strain), Isaiah Hartenstein (soleus strain), Alex Caruso (adductor strain), Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain), Nikola Topic (testicular surgery), and Thomas Sorber (torn ACL) all remained sidelined. Aaron Wiggins, after being listed as questionable with a hip impingement, was ultimately cleared to play, providing a small boost to an otherwise thin bench.
The Raptors, meanwhile, arrived with momentum—and relative health—on their side. Toronto had rolled to a 28-19 record and was riding a three-game winning streak, including a convincing 110-98 road win over the Portland Trail Blazers just two nights prior. Sandro Mamukelashvili led the charge in Portland with 22 points, while Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley each chipped in 20. Scottie Barnes nearly notched a triple-double, tallying 15 points, nine rebounds, and six blocked shots. For the Oklahoma City showdown, the Raptors were missing only Jakob Poeltl (back strain) and Collin Murray-Boyles (thumb contusion), with Immanuel Quickley (ankle soreness) and Ja’Kobe Walter (hip pointer) both upgraded to available by tip-off.
Both coaches were forced to tinker with their starting lineups due to injuries. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault rolled out a group of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, Jaylin Williams, and Chet Holmgren—hoping to counter Toronto’s size and versatility. Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković countered with Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, and Sandro Mamukelashvili, a lineup that had found success during their road swing.
From the opening tip, it was clear neither team would have an easy night. The first quarter saw both squads trade punches, with Lu Dort knocking down four of his first six three-point attempts, giving Oklahoma City an early spark. “Much better opening quarter here than last game,” observed one local beat writer, as Dort’s 13 points kept the Thunder close. Gilgeous-Alexander orchestrated the offense masterfully, but the Raptors’ defense—anchored by Barnes and Ingram—forced the Thunder into tough shots and limited their transition opportunities.
As the game wore on, the Thunder’s lack of depth became more apparent. When Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren sat, Oklahoma City’s offense sputtered, scoring just 20 points in the second quarter and allowing the Raptors to seize control. “You saw OKC’s offense return to its struggle. Only 20 points have let the Raptors get control of this game,” read a live update from the USA Today Network. Toronto capitalized on the Thunder’s cold spells, with Quickley and Ingram providing steady scoring. By halftime, the game was tight, but the Raptors’ bench had outperformed Oklahoma City’s, a testament to their superior depth on this night.
The third quarter saw the Thunder mount a mini-run, with Gilgeous-Alexander slashing to the rim and racking up points in the paint. He finished the night with 21 points and five assists, but the Raptors refused to let him single-handedly take over. Scottie Barnes and Sandro Mamukelashvili were relentless on the boards, helping Toronto amass a 51-37 rebounding edge—an advantage that would prove decisive. Both teams took care of the ball, committing just 11 turnovers apiece, and neither led by more than seven points at any stage, underscoring the contest’s razor-thin margin.
As the fourth quarter began, the tension in Paycom Center was palpable. The Thunder’s defense clamped down, forcing Toronto into several tough, late-clock jumpers. But the Raptors, unfazed by the hostile crowd, responded with clutch buckets from Quickley, who finished with a team-high 23 points and 11 rebounds, and Ingram, who added timely three-pointers. “Quickley posts 23 points and 11 rebounds to lead Raptors past Thunder 103-101 in 4th straight win,” reported ESPN, capturing the essence of his performance.
The final minutes were a chess match. Gilgeous-Alexander drove for a transition layup to pull the Thunder within one, but after a Raptors timeout, Toronto’s defense held firm. In the closing moments, both teams traded defensive stops, with neither able to break through for a decisive bucket. Ultimately, the Raptors’ rebounding and ability to generate second-chance points tipped the scales. The referees—Brent Barnaky, Karl Lane, and Jenna Schroeder—kept a tight leash on the action, ensuring a fair, hard-fought finish.
Statistically, the game was a near dead-heat. The Raptors shot 43% (37-for-86) from the field and 35% (12-for-34) from three-point range, while the Thunder countered with 44% (33-for-75) overall but struggled from deep at just 26% (11-for-43). Free throws also played a role: Oklahoma City converted 77% (24-for-31), outpacing Toronto’s 65% (17-for-26) at the stripe, but the Raptors’ dominance on the glass made up for their misses.
Injury updates remained a subplot throughout. With so many Thunder regulars out, the team’s resilience was on display, but the lack of fresh legs and experience ultimately cost them. The Raptors, on the other hand, showed what a full, healthy rotation can accomplish—even against elite competition.
With this hard-fought victory, the Raptors not only extended their winning streak to four but also sent a message to the rest of the league: they can hang with anyone, anywhere. As for the Thunder, the loss serves as a reminder that even the NBA’s best are vulnerable when the injury bug bites hard. Both teams, however, remain firmly in the playoff hunt, and fans can only hope for a postseason rematch with full rosters and even higher stakes.
