TORONTO — When Brandon Ingram was traded from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Raptors last season, he made it clear he wanted to stay in Toronto.
But there is a certain part of Raptor's job that he loves.
“I think Darko came into the locker room screaming,” Ingram laughed, referring to head coach Darko Rajakovic’s habit of running into the Toronto locker room screaming to encourage his players. “It's not just one day, it's every day. He brings energy every single day. He's the leader of our team.”
“He makes sure we bring it to practice, games, shoots. He makes sure we have it every time we step on the basketball court.”
Ingram added: “For me, that’s the best thing about being here: a coach who’s there every single day.”
A low-key Ingram said despite scoring a season-high 37 points, he led Toronto over the Cleveland Cavaliers 110-99 on Monday. It was his highest score since scoring 32 for New Orleans on Nov. 16, 2024.
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“I felt good tonight. I just went out there and was in the game,” said Ingram, who missed most of last season with a sprained left ankle. “I didn’t feel like I was getting tired, I just kept shooting.
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“I continued to do what the defense gave me. I felt good. I wasn't tired.”
Cleveland's defense was especially generous in the third quarter, with Ingram scoring 15 points and the Raptors outscoring the Cavaliers 31-22.
“When he gets going like that, he's proven it time and time again, not just this year but throughout his career: once he gets going, give him the ball,” point guard Jamal Sheed said. “He won’t just score every time, he will make the right play.”
Rajakovic also appreciates the diversity of Ingram's game, although he was billed as a shooter when New Orleans dealt him to Toronto on Feb. 6 for forward Bruce Brown, center Kelly Olynyk, a 2026 first-round pick and a 2031 second-round pick.
“Brandon also did a great job defensively,” Rajakovic said after Ingram grabbed seven defensive rebounds and an interception. “I thought he hit the ball well. It was in the right places and getting reflections.
“He does it both ways on the floor and really helps us win.”
The win extended the Raptors' streak to eight straight games and they are 12-1 in their last 13 games. Ingram laughed when asked the last time he was on such a hot team.
“(expletive) High school?” Ingram said. “I don’t think a single person in the dressing room talked about this episode and I don’t think Darko will allow it to penetrate our dressing room.
“We take it every day. We know every day is an opportunity to get better and we're just worried about the next opponent.”
Toronto (13-5) is in first place in the Atlantic Division, two games behind the New York Knicks. The Raptors are 2 1/2 games behind the Detroit Pistons in first place in the Eastern Conference standings.
They host the Indiana Pacers (2-15) on Wednesday with a good chance to continue their streak.
“We've made a difference from last year,” Sheed said. “We saw the potential last year and it’s great to see it sprouting.
“I think everyone has been amazing. I think everyone, like the 13 guys that play, they all come in and contribute.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 24, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
