You know those NBA games where the stats sheet looks like a typo? That basically sums up the most recent meeting between the Toronto Raptors and the Philadelphia 76ers. Just a few days ago, on January 12, 2026, these two teams finished a chaotic home-and-home set that left fans in Toronto feeling both exhausted and a little confused.
The Sixers walked out of Scotiabank Arena with a 115-102 win, but that doesn't even begin to tell the story. Twenty-four hours earlier, the Raptors had actually clawed out a gritty 116-115 overtime win against a shorthanded Philly squad. Then, on Monday night, the 76ers decided to turn the first half into a layup line, dropping 80 points before the break. 80 points. That’s the most Toronto has given up in a half all season. Honestly, watching the Raptors' perimeter defense in those first 24 minutes was like watching a screen door try to stop a hurricane.
Why the Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers Rivalry Still Hits Different
This isn't just another game on the calendar. If you’ve followed these teams since the 2019 playoffs, you know the vibes are always heavy. We are talking about the "four bounces" Kawhi Leonard shot that still haunts Joel Embiid's dreams. Fast forward to 2026, and while the rosters have shifted, the salt remains.
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The narrative on Monday was all about the returns. Joel Embiid and Paul George sat out the Sunday loss with knee and groin issues, but they were back for the rematch. Embiid looked like he hadn't missed a beat, putting up 27 points. But the real problem for Toronto was Tyrese Maxey. He’s become the ultimate Raptor-killer. Maxey finished with 33 points, and at one point in the first half, it felt like he literally couldn't miss a three.
Meanwhile, Toronto is in a weird spot. They’ve got Brandon Ingram now, who had 17 points and 10 rebounds in the loss, but they’re missing RJ Barrett. Barrett’s been out with a thumb injury, and without his downhill scoring, the Raptors' offense gets kinda stagnant. They shot a miserable 6-for-37 from deep on Monday. That is roughly 16%. You aren't winning a middle school game with those numbers, let alone beating a title contender like Philly.
The Kyle Lowry Factor
The most emotional moment of the night had nothing to do with the score. With about two minutes left and the game basically over, Nick Nurse—another guy Toronto fans have complicated feelings about—sent in Kyle Lowry.
The crowd of 18,127 went absolutely nuts. Standing ovation, "We want Lowry" chants, the whole deal. It’s wild to think he’s in his 20th season now. He’s 39 years old, he airballed his first three-pointer, and he finished 0-for-3, but nobody cared. He’s still the "Groat" (Greatest Raptor of All Time) to that city. He even hinted after the game that the plan to sign a one-day contract and retire as a Raptor is still very much the plan.
Breaking Down the Matchup
If you’re looking at the Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers matchup from a tactical lens, the disparity in depth is starting to show.
- The Sixers' Explosion: Philly went 27-of-37 from the field in the first half. That’s 73%. They were 13-of-20 from three. That’s a video game stat.
- Toronto’s Shooting Woes: The Raptors have gone back-to-back games shooting under 17% from three-point range. In the Sunday win, they survived it. On Monday, they got buried.
- Scottie’s Recognition: Scottie Barnes was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week just hours before tip-off, but he struggled early on Monday, finishing with 15 points. He’s the engine of this team, but when the threes aren't falling for Immanuel Quickley or Gradey Dick, the spacing for Scottie to work inside just vanishes.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Series
A lot of casual observers think the Raptors are just "rebuilding," but their record (24-17 after the loss) says otherwise. They are firmly in the mix in the East. The problem is consistency. One night, they are holding Philly to 25% from three in an OT win; the next, they are giving up an 80-point half.
Philly, on the other hand, is all about the health of the "Big Three." When Embiid, George, and Maxey are all on the floor, they look like the best team in the conference. But as we saw on Sunday, when the stars sit, they can lose to anyone.
Actionable Insights for the Next Matchup
If you're tracking these two for the rest of the 2026 season, here is what actually matters:
Watch the injury report specifically for Jakob Poeltl. Toronto's defense falls off a cliff when he’s out with that back issue. Without a true rim protector, Embiid just camps in the paint and draws fouls all night long.
Keep an eye on V.J. Edgecombe and the Sixers' bench. Edgecombe had 15 points on Monday and is starting to look like a legitimate secondary scoring threat that takes the pressure off Maxey.
For the Raptors to compete in a playoff series against Philly, they have to fix the "non-Ingram" minutes. When Brandon Ingram sits, the offense relies way too much on Quickley's deep shooting, which is currently in a massive slump.
The season series is far from over, and with the way these two teams play each other, expect more 1-point games and bizarre shooting nights. The rivalry is alive and well, even if the faces under the jerseys keep changing.