In an intense battle at the Scotiabank Arena, the Toronto Raptors continued their impressive resurgence by clinching their third consecutive win, defeating the Charlotte Hornets 108-97 on March 28, 2025. The two teams, each battling through their own unique challenges this season, showcased resilience and determination, punctuated by standout individual performances and passionate competition down the stretch.
Raptors Surge Forward with Poeltl's Stellar Performance
Jakob Poeltl was unstoppable on this evening, powering the Raptors with a dominant 24-point, 12-rebound double-double. Immanuel Quickley dazzled spectators with his sharpshooting, pouring in 19 points, including five crucial three-pointers. Toronto's young stars Scottie Barnes (18 points) and rookie Jonathan Mogbo (16 points) further energized the Raptors, highlighting the team's depth and promising future amidst a challenging season.
Hornets Continue to Struggle Amidst Key Injuries
For the Charlotte Hornets, the defeat marked their fourth straight loss, deepening their struggles and leaving them with an 18-55 record—the third-worst in the league. Missing star players LaMelo Ball—out for the remainder of the season following ankle and wrist surgery—and rookie Brandon Miller, sidelined by an ongoing wrist injury, Charlotte battled valiantly. Nonetheless, Mark Williams provided a bright spot with an energetic 18-point, 12-rebound outing, and Miles Bridges continued carrying the offensive load, averaging an impressive 23.4 points per game recently.
Looking Ahead: Raptors and Hornets Face Upcoming Challenges
Despite facing injury setbacks of their own—with RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram, and Gradey Dick sidelined—the Raptors now set their sights on maintaining momentum against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 30. Meanwhile, the Hornets, guided by head coach Charles Lee's unwavering commitment to building a "culture of competitiveness," continue their demanding road trip, taking on the New Orleans Pelicans on the same day.
This chapter of the NBA season has placed Toronto and Charlotte on distinctly different paths: one surging forward with youthful energy and renewed hope, the other striving to find consistency and ignite pride amidst adversity.
