Ending 2025 with a showdown against the Denver Nuggets on New Year's Eve, the Raptors came into the matchup embracing the momentum of back-to-back wins (over Golden State and Orlando), battling through early adversity and fighting to secure a late-game comeback in each respective affair.
I liked during the broadcast when the panelists mentioned the Raptors not having to be the “cardiac kids,” yet still showing up in clutch moments. Against the Nuggets, it was no different —despite Toronto entering as favorites, they couldn’t escape the high-tense, closing drama. It made sense, given Denver’s injury struggles, recently losing superstar Nikola Jokic and still missing Christian Braun, Cam Johnson, and Aaron Gordon.