For a moment there it felt like they might make an actual turnaround. An influx of effective centres, a team-wide return from COVID protocols, and a run of stellar play from Pascal Siakam inspired Toronto Raptors fans — or at least the more optimistic ones — that despite everything, the Raptors could gun for a playoff spot at the last minute. Alas, as has been the case in so many Raptors games this year, it was only a fake comeback.
With Toronto officially eliminated from a chance at the play-in tournament, management’s focus has become absolutely clear (if it hadn’t already been).