Raptors Use Big Third Quarter To Crush Hawks In Opener 138-118

After a close first half, the Toronto Raptors outscored the Atlanta Hawks 45-28 in the third quarter to pull away and coast to a 138-118 win on Wednesday night. In the quarter, Toronto was able to take the ball to the rim at will, scoring on 12 layups or dunks. They ended the quarter on a 14-0 run. The 138-point output was an opening night franchise record for Toronto.

Raptors’ Balanced Attack

Toronto had seven players in double-figures and three players who scored more than 20 points in the game. Forward R.J. Barrett led all scorers with 25 points, added 8 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Shooting guard Scottie Barnes also had a big night, contributing 22 points, six boards, nine assists, a steal and two blocked shots. Gradey Dick pitched in 22 points, five rebounds, and a steal off the bench. The Raptors dominated on the boards, 60-44, and in fastbreak points, 34-11.

Atlanta Cools Off After Hot Start

Atlanta got down by as many as ten points in the first quarter, but shot well and rallied to end the quarter down just two, 36-34. Things went downhill from there. The Hawks scored just 25 points and 28 points, respectively, over the next two quarters, and went into the final frame down 23 points. For the game, they shot just 42.2% from the field and 28.6% from three-point range. Meanwhile, their defense let the Raptors shoot 56.8% from the field.

Trae Young and Jalen Johnson both had 22 points to lead the Hawks, but they went a combined 1-9 from three-point territory. Young, who led the NBA in assists (880) and assists per game (11.6) last season, managed just five in the game. Johnson added seven rebounds and eight assists. Kristaps Porzingis had 20 points and seven rebounds. The Hawks’ top one-on-one defender, Dyson Daniels, spent much of the team’s home opener on the bench with foul trouble. The 2024-2025 NBA All-Defensive First Teamer had five fouls and four points, playing just 22 minutes after signing a big contract extension right before the start of the regular season.

Next Up

The Raptors (1-0) will travel back home to Toronto to host the Milwaukee Bucks (1-0) on Friday. The Bucks beat the Washington Wizards 133-120 in their opener Wednesday night in Milwaukee. Up next for Atlanta will be a Friday night road game in Orlando against the Magic (1-0). The Magic opened their season with a 125-121 home victory over the Miami Heat.