INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Immanuel Quickley scored 27 points and RJ Barrett added 26 as the Toronto Raptors orchestrated a remarkable fourth-quarter rally, turning a double-digit deficit into a 125-118 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday evening at the Intuit Dome.
The loss extended the Clippers’ current losing streak to six games, compounding an increasingly difficult stretch for a squad trying to find its footing amid injuries and rotation adjustments. Meanwhile, the Raptors demonstrated resilience just a day after coming up short in a high-scoring fourth-quarter push against the Los Angeles Lakers, proving that their offensive firepower can ignite at a moment’s notice.
Sunday’s matchup showcased a game of contrasting halves. The Raptors found themselves fighting uphill for the majority of the contest, staring down a 14-point deficit as the fourth quarter commenced. Los Angeles had controlled the tempo early, establishing a 15-point advantage in the opening frame and heading into the halftime locker room comfortably ahead at 63-52. For Toronto, the first quarter had been a slog, yielding just 22 points—marking the lowest-scoring opening period of the season for the squad.
Yet, the final twelve minutes proved to be an entirely different narrative. Toronto completely flipped the script by exploding for 47 points in the fourth quarter while shooting a blistering 61.9% from the floor. The offensive surge was spearheaded by Scottie Barnes, who poured in 15 of his 22 total points in the final period, alongside Quickley, who contributed 14 points down the stretch.
The Raptors improved to 2-3 while playing without former Clipper Kawhi Leonard, who remains sidelined due to a knee injury. Despite his absence, Toronto’s depth stepped up when it mattered most. Alongside Quickley, Barrett, and Barnes, rookie Collin Murray-Boyles provided a vital spark off the bench with 18 points, anchoring a frontcourt rotation that ultimately wore down the Clippers’ defense.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, was forced to navigate its own substantial roster absences. The Clippers played without forwards Rui Hachimura, who was sidelined with a quad injury, and Derrick Jones Jr., out with a knee issue. In response, head coach shuffling led to adjustments in the starting lineup, with Brook Lopez and Gradey Dick making their first starts of the season for Los Angeles. Both players finished the night with 12 points apiece.
Despite the reshuffled lineup, the Clippers controlled the flow of the game for nearly three and a half quarters, buoyed by standout individual performances. Kobe Sanders delivered a career-high 26 points off the bench, providing an energetic offensive jolt while appearing as a reserve for the first time this season. Isaiah Jackson also made a strong impact as a substitute, chipping in 19 points.
Darius Garland orchestrated the Los Angeles offense effectively, finishing with 16 points and eight assists. However, Garland also shouldered a heavy burden in the turnover department, committing seven of the Clippers’ 15 total turnovers on the night—mistakes that ultimately proved costly as the Raptors mounted their comeback.
The tide began to turn midway through the fourth quarter. Trailing significantly, the Raptors ignited an 8-0 run that trimmed the deficit to 105-101 with 5:13 remaining following a pair of free throws by Quickley.
The Clippers briefly attempted to stem the bleeding, pushing their lead back to 109-103. But Toronto refused to relent, answering with another ferocious 8-0 surge. The run culminated in a jumper from Barnes with 2,08 remaining on the clock, giving the Raptors their very first lead of the game at 111-109. Once ahead, Toronto never trailed again, securing control of the contest through disciplined execution and clutch scoring.
As the clock wound down, the intensity peaked. Quickley effectively sealed the victory with 37.4 seconds remaining when he converted a high-pressure free throw to extend the Raptors’ lead to 119-115. The trip to the line came after a video review overturned an initial foul call against Quickley, instead assessing the infraction to Clippers guard Max Strus.
For Strus, the game marked a significant personal milestone amid a frustrating team result. Acquired by the Clippers in an offseason trade, Strus made his team debut on Sunday after recovering from a foot injury. Playing 23 minutes off the bench, he provided an encouraging 11 points, offering a glimpse of the perimeter spacing and scoring capability he is expected to bring to Los Angeles once he fully integrates into the rotation. Kris Dunn also added 12 points for the Clippers, but their collective efforts were ultimately undone by Toronto’s overwhelming fourth-quarter avalanche.
With the victory safely secured, the Raptors closed out the final seconds to cap off an improbable road comeback, leaving Inglewood with a hard-earned win and valuable momentum. Meanwhile, the Clippers are left to regroup, seeking answers during an increasingly challenging slide as they look to correct their fourth-quarter execution and snap their six-game skid.