Ochai Agbaji and Jamison Battle led the charge as the Toronto Raptors secured their first road victory of the season, cruising past the struggling New Orleans Pelicans 119-93.
Both Agbaji and Battle poured in 24 points, spearheading a Raptors’ offense that connected on a season-high 21 three-pointers.
Coming into the game with a dismal 0-10 road record, the Raptors looked determined to change the narrative early. Agbaji and Battle were lights out from beyond the arc, with Agbaji hitting 6-of-7 from deep and Battle going 6-for-8. Their long-range shooting set the tone for a night where Toronto found its rhythm offensively and kept the Pelicans on their heels.
Meanwhile, RJ Barrett delivered a standout performance with 22 points and a career-high 11 assists. Barrett showcased his playmaking ability throughout the night, particularly during a critical third-quarter stretch when the Raptors broke the game wide open. After assisting on an alley-oop layup for Agbaji, Barrett scored eight straight points, fueling a 16-2 run that extended Toronto’s lead to 79-53.
Scottie Barnes added 17 points, providing the Raptors with another reliable scoring option. Barnes’ versatility on both ends of the floor helped Toronto maintain control as they continued to exploit New Orleans’ depleted lineup.
Advertisement
We’re on Social Media
Follow us on X
See more football highlights
The Pelicans, who have now lost six straight games and 15 of their last 17, were once again without key starters Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Herb Jones, as well as key reserve Trey Murphy III. In their absence, CJ McCollum led the way with 19 points in his second game back from an adductor strain. McCollum’s return was a welcome sight for New Orleans, but his impact was limited as the Pelicans struggled to find consistent offense.
Djounte Murray, playing his first game since fracturing his left hand and missing 17 contests, looked rusty. The guard finished with 14 points but missed all seven of his first-half attempts and shot just 5-of-17 overall. His slow start mirrored the Pelicans’ offensive struggles, as the team managed only 11 made three-pointers on 35 attempts.
Despite the loss, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl provided a bright spot for New Orleans with 14 points and 10 rebounds. His effort on the boards was critical for a Pelicans squad that went with a smaller starting lineup. With 6-foot-11 center Yves Missi as the lone true big man, New Orleans relied on the 6-foot-6 Boston and guards Murray, Javonte Green, and McCollum to fill out the rotation.
Toronto’s defense capitalized on the Pelicans’ lack of size, forcing difficult shots and limiting second-chance opportunities. The Raptors’ ability to stretch the floor and hit from long range also exposed the Pelicans’ defensive shortcomings.
One of the key takeaways for the Raptors was their newfound success from beyond the arc. Entering the game last in the NBA in made three-pointers per game (10.4), Toronto erupted for 21 triples on 52 attempts, shooting 40.4% from deep. It marked their highest three-point total since January 2021 and highlighted the offensive potential they had struggled to unlock on the road this season.
For New Orleans, the small-ball experiment by head coach Willie Green didn’t yield the desired results. While the lineup offered more speed and perimeter shooting, it left the Pelicans vulnerable inside and unable to keep pace with Toronto’s hot shooting.
As the Raptors look to build momentum, they’ll face another road test on Friday night against the Miami Heat. Meanwhile, the Pelicans will aim to snap their losing streak when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies. With key players still sidelined, New Orleans will need to find answers quickly to avoid slipping further down the Western Conference standings.
For Toronto, this win isn’t just a morale boost—it’s a potential turning point. With Agbaji and Battle stepping up alongside Barrett and Barnes, the Raptors may have found the formula to turn their road woes around and climb back into the playoff conversation.