Toronto Raptors Lose Preseason Opener 112-108 to Nuggets

UPDATE: The Toronto Raptors faced a tough challenge in their preseason opener, falling 112-108 to the Denver Nuggets at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on October 7, 2025. This matchup marked the first game for Brandon Ingram in a Raptors jersey, following an extended recovery from an ankle injury.

Ingram’s return is significant as he was traded from the New Orleans Pelicans last season but did not play due to injury. Head coach Darko Rajakovic expressed his excitement, stating, “I’m just really, really happy for him that he has a chance to be on the court and play and compete.” Ingram showcased his talent alongside teammates RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes, both key figures in the Raptors’ lineup this season.

Ingram and Barrett led the Raptors with 19 points each, while Barnes struggled, failing to score in a challenging performance. The Raptors shot 41.2% overall, making just 10 of 42 attempts from beyond the arc. Rajakovic noted the difficulty of evaluating performance in a short preseason game but emphasized the importance of maintaining health and gathering film for analysis.

“From this game, the most important thing is that we came out healthy,” Rajakovic added.

Looking ahead, the Raptors will travel to face the Sacramento Kings on October 11, 2025, before opening the regular season against the Atlanta Hawks on October 22, 2025. Barrett acknowledged the challenge posed by the Nuggets, stating, “It was good. It was a good test for us to see what we’ve got out there.”

On the Nuggets side, Jamal Murray impressed with 17 points in just over 20 minutes of play. Murray, coming off a strong season averaging 21.4 points, noted the excitement of playing in front of a Canadian crowd. “To have a whole country kind of rooting for you, it’s always love,” he said.

This preseason matchup served as a crucial opportunity for both teams to assess their lineups and strategies ahead of the competitive season. Fans are eager to see how the Raptors will integrate Ingram into their system as they prepare for the upcoming challenges.

Stay tuned for more updates as the Raptors continue their preseason journey and refine their roster for the regular season.