Raptors Get Bad News After Bulls Loss

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh E. Valdez | Last updated Apr 2, 2025 12:28 AM ET

The Toronto Raptors lost 137-118 to the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, which is a microcosm of their 2024-25 season. While they have talented young players such as Scottie Barnes and Gradey Dick, the team isn't ready to contend this year.

The Raptors are 28-48 with six games left after going 25-57 in 2023-24. However, the franchise has a promising future, as it locked up 2020 All-Star Brandon Ingram to a three-year, $120 million deal after trading him for him at the deadline. He's averaging 22.2 points on 46.5 percent shooting with 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists this season, although he's yet to make his Toronto debut due to an ankle injury.

With that being said, the Raptors' remaining games now have lower stakes.

Toronto received the unfortunate news that it was officially eliminated from playoff contention after Tuesday's loss. Meanwhile, the Bulls clinched a Play-In Tournament berth, moving six games ahead of the Raptors for 10th place in the Eastern Conference.

Toronto will now look forward to the NBA Draft Lottery on May 12, when the 14 worst teams will be randomly ordered 1-14 in the 2025 draft.

With the loss tonight, the Raptors have been eliminated from Playoff contention. pic.twitter.com/IU2tkZ1e9x
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 2, 2025

The Raptors will have lower odds to win a top pick than the likes of the Washington Wizards (16-59), Utah Jazz (16-60), or Charlotte Hornets (19-56), but they could still add a quality prospect.

In addition to Barnes and Dick, Toronto has 24-year-old guard RJ Barrett, who's averaging 21.5 points on 47.3 percent shooting with 6.4 rebounds and 5.6 assists. The Duke alum ranks 27th in scoring and 30th in assists.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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