"This stretch will demand more from the Raptors' bench, and that is where things get complicated. Toronto has found success with its second unit this season. The team's leaders in net-rating include Jamal Shead at +5.5, Gradey Dick at +5.3, and Sandro Mamukelashvili at +5.2. Those numbers are encouraging, but expanded roles bring added pressure. Additionally, young and unproven players behind the usual bench rotation will be asked to take on expanded roles."
"Immanuel Quickley currently stands as the only healthy member of Toronto's starting five. That reality places a significant burden on his shoulders as the rest of the core works its way back. Throughout his career, Quickley has battled inconsistency, and this season has been no different. One night, he looks like a dynamic ball-handler and knockdown shooter who defenses struggle to contain. The next, questionable decisions and cold shooting stretches creep back into his game."
Record-wise, the Toronto Raptors are 3-1 since the New Year, but injuries and inconsistent play have produced an uneasy 2026 start. Multiple starters—Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl—are injured or sidelined, potentially leaving roughly 80 percent of the starting lineup unavailable or limited. The bench must shoulder increased minutes, relying on effective net-rating contributors such as Jamal Shead, Gradey Dick and Sandro Mamukelashvili. Expanded roles create added pressure for young, unproven players. Immanuel Quickley is the lone healthy starter and must stabilize the lineup despite persistent inconsistency. A narrow gap to the eighth seed leaves little margin for error.
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