Basketball – Brandon Sun

Toronto Raptors' RJ Barrett (9) looks on during second half NBA basketball action against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Toronto, on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

RJ Barrett keeps Toronto Raptors struggles against NBA’s top teams in perspective

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 4:00 AM CST

TORONTO - RJ Barrett is keeping the Toronto Raptors' struggles against the NBA's top-tier teams in perspective.

Barrett, from Mississauga, Ont., had 21 points, eight rebounds and four assists as Toronto failed in its comeback bid against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, losing 116-107.

Barrett said that the loss to the reigning NBA champions and a 113-95 rout by the Detroit Pistons on Feb. 11 aren't disappointments but actually an indication of how far the Raptors have come since they finished last season with a 30-52 record.

"I mean, we've made a huge jump from where we were last year. You've got to think where we were last year versus now," said Barrett. "A lot of these teams have either already been good, already been in playoff situations like tonight, won a championship. These teams already know.

Advertise With Us

Weather

Feb. 26, 12 PM: -4°c Sunny Feb. 26, 6 PM: -4°c Partly cloudy

Brandon MB

-6°C, Cloudy

Full Forecast

Wallace leads Thunder past Raptors 116-107; Gilgeous-Alexander misses hometown game

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Wallace leads Thunder past Raptors 116-107; Gilgeous-Alexander misses hometown game

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026

TORONTO - Cason Wallace led all scorers with 27 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder withstood a late charge to beat the Toronto Raptors 116-107 on Tuesday.

Wallace also had eight rebounds and six assists as Oklahoma City (45-14) won its third straight. Isaiah Joe added 22 points.

Reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Hamilton didn't play for the Thunder as he recovers from an abdominal strain.

RJ Barrett of Mississauga, Ont., led Toronto (34-24) with 21 points, pulling down eight rebounds and adding four assists.

Read

Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026

Oklahoma City Thunder's Luguentz Dort (5) is stopped at the net by Toronto Raptors' Collin Murray-Boyles (12) during first half NBA basketball action in Toronto, on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

Lakers unveil statue of Pat Riley, the coaching mastermind of their 1980s Showtime era

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Lakers unveil statue of Pat Riley, the coaching mastermind of their 1980s Showtime era

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 4 minute read Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers have unveiled a statue of Pat Riley outside their downtown arena to honour the head coach who masterminded their Showtime championship era.

Riley was in attendance Sunday when the Lakers revealed the 8-foot bronze likeness of the Hall of Fame coach in one of his famed Giorgio Armani suits. The statue stands in Star Plaza between statues of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson, the two pillars of the Lakers' five championships in the 1980s.

Riley was an assistant for that first title before leading the Lakers to the next four, reaching seven NBA Finals in his nine years as their head coach. Riley had never been a head coach before owner Jerry Buss installed the former Lakers player in 1981, but he went on to become one of the greats in his profession.

“The time has gone so fast,” Riley said. “I feel like everything I’ve ever done, I’ve been blessed. I was surrounded by greatness.”

Read

Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026

Raptors snap Bucks’ three-game streak with 122-94 road win

Jack Albright, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Raptors snap Bucks’ three-game streak with 122-94 road win

Jack Albright, The Associated Press 2 minute read Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Immanuel Quickley scored 32 points and the Toronto Raptors snapped the Milwaukee Bucks’ three-game win streak with a 122-94 victory Sunday.

Toronto’s Brandon Ingram had 22 points, and Sandro Mamukelashvili added 19. Quickley was 5-of-11 on 3-point attempts and had nine assists and three rebounds.

Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. led the Bucks with 21 points each. Cam Thomas scored 15 off the bench. Milwaukee lost for just the second time in its last eight games.

Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo missed his 11th straight game since straining his right calf on Jan. 23. The Bucks are 15-15 with Antetokounmpo and 9-16 without him this season.

Read

Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026

Toronto Raptors' Brandon Ingram, front left, drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks' Myles Turner, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Raptors return from the All-Star break to beat the Bulls 110-101

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Raptors return from the All-Star break to beat the Bulls 110-101

The Associated Press 2 minute read Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

CHICAGO (AP) — Brandon Ingram scored 31 points and the Toronto Raptors returned from the All-Star break to beat the Chicago Bulls 110-101 on Thursday night.

With Chicago coach Billy Donovan away following his father’s death Saturday, assistant coach Wes Unseld Jr. directed the Bulls. Chicago has lost seven straight, also falling to the Raptors two weeks ago in Toronto.

Fifth in East, Toronto won for the eighth time in 12 games to improve to 33-23. Ingram also had eight rebounds and six assists. Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and Ja’Kobe Walter each had 14 points, and RJ Barrett added 13.

After Anfernee Simons hit a 3-pointer to cap a 7-0 run and pull Chicago to 103-101 with 2:12 left, Collin Murray-Boyles had a three-point play with 1:18 remaining and Ingram hit a 17-footer with 36 seconds to go to make it 108-101.

Read

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) sinks a three-point shot during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Bhatti, Gill net Canada West awards

2 minute read Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

Sultan Bhatti is going out as a Canada West first-team all-star once again.

The Brandon University men’s basketball forward was named to the team for the second straight season on Thursday, while Munroop Gill cracked the all-rookie team.

The duo finished third and fourth in the conference with 20.1 and 17.9 points per game, respectively.

Bhatti was also second in rebounds per game at 10.5 and second in assists at 5.7.

Virden’s Garcia, Pilots capture MCAC women’s basketball title

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

Virden’s Garcia, Pilots capture MCAC women’s basketball title

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026

NIVERVILLE — Fiona Garcia defies logic.

Not just because she can hold her own at her size, but because she plays basketball completely unlike you’d expect an undersized guard to play.

The Virden product, who was named to the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference all-conference team, helped the Providence Pilots to a 69-58 victory over the Canadian Mennonite University Blazers in the league final on Sunday.

Listed at five-foot-two, Garcia not only recorded 15 points but added six rebounds, six steals and six assists.

Read

Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026

Virden’s Fiona Garcia captured the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference women’s basketball title with the Providence Pilots on Sunday in Niverville. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Learn more about Advertising solutions

Plainsmen beat Spartans in semifinal

1 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026

Elia Plerot scored 17 points to lead the Crocus Plainsmen to a 65-37 win over the Neelin Spartans in the Brandon High School Basketball League junior varsity girls’ semifinal at Crocus on Tuesday.

Success Ebri and Sydney Dell each scored 14 for the Plainsmen, who meet the Vincent Massey Vikings in the best-of-three final.

Paisley Anaka scored 12 points for Neelin.

The varsity girls’ game ended after deadline.

Raptors bigs’ strategy works against Wembanyama but Toronto still comes up short

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Raptors bigs’ strategy works against Wembanyama but Toronto still comes up short

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 4 minute read 4:00 AM CST

TORONTO - When the Toronto Raptors announced their starting lineup against the San Antonio Spurs, there was a small surprise at centre with rookie Collin Murray-Boyles taking the tipoff instead of veteran Jakob Poeltl.

The seven-foot, 253-pound Poeltl is the tallest player on the Raptors by three inches and the heaviest by eight pounds. He's also one of the most experienced players on Toronto's roster and would presumably be able to give seven-foot-four Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama a hard time.

Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic had other plans, however.

"Our focus was to be physical with them in general, particularly Wemby," said Poeltl of the strategy. "We know when he finds his rhythm and can play free, he’s a really good basketball player, a really good shotmaker.

Read

4:00 AM CST

San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama (1) jumps to block a shot during first half NBA basketball action against the Toronto Raptors in Toronto, on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

Devin Vassell’s 21-point performance helps Spurs rally past Raptors 110-107

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Devin Vassell’s 21-point performance helps Spurs rally past Raptors 110-107

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 9:14 PM CST

TORONTO - Devin Vassell led all scorers with 21 points as the San Antonio Spurs rallied to a 110-107 win over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.

De'Aaron Fox added 20 points as San Antonio (42-16) extended its win streak to 10. Star centre Victor Wembanyama was limited to 12 points but had seven rebounds.

Dylan Harper had 15 points, seven assists and five rebounds off the bench for the Spurs.

Brandon Ingram had a double-double with 20 points and a season-high 11 rebounds as Toronto (34-25) led by as many as 15 points. Immanuel Quickley had 20 points and Scottie Barnes scored 15.

Read

Yesterday at 9:14 PM CST

San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama (1) looks for a pass as Toronto Raptors' Ja'Kobe Walter (14) defends during first half NBA basketball action in Toronto, on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

Rome Flynn repeats as NBA All-Star Celebrity Game MVP; Team Giannis wins

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Rome Flynn repeats as NBA All-Star Celebrity Game MVP; Team Giannis wins

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 3 minute read Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Rome Flynn earned MVP honours for the second straight year in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday night, scoring 17 points to lead a team coached by Giannis Antetokounmpo to a 65-58 victory.

Actor-comedian Anthony Anderson coached the losing team, led by former 7-foot-6 NBA player Tacko Fall with 20 points.

The game brought basketball back to the Forum, home of the Los Angeles Lakers’ “Showtime” era until 1999, when they moved 10 miles away to downtown Los Angeles. Now, it has a different sponsor name under Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and is mostly used as a concert and entertainment venue.

K-pop made its debut at the game with boy group CORTIS performing at halftime.

Read

Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026

Coach Anthony Anderson, left, jokes around with Rick Schnall during an NBA basketball's All-Star Celebrity Game Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

UBCO knocks Brandon out of hoops playoffs

By Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

UBCO knocks Brandon out of hoops playoffs

By Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

The challenge the Brandon University Bobcats were worried about proved exactly what took them down on Friday.

They knew the UBC Okanagan Heat rebounded tough, but gave up 20 offensive rebounds and 16 second-chance points in an 86-70 loss in the first round of the Canada West women’s basketball playoffs at the University of Regina on Friday.

The Heat also hit 11 of 26 three-pointers as the Bobcats collapsed into the paint and left shooters wide open.

“Our group knew making shots, like any game, is super important. If we could have eliminated that, if they make three, four less of those, if we close out better and understand personnel better, the game looks a little bit different,” said Bobcats head coach Ilarion Bonhomme.

Read

Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

The Brandon University Bobcats lost 86-70 to the UBC Okanagan Heat in the first round of the Canada West women’s basketball playoffs in Regina on Friday. (Photo courtesy Arthur Images)

Paul retires as NBA’s All-Star weekend begins, ending a 21-season NBA run

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Paul retires as NBA’s All-Star weekend begins, ending a 21-season NBA run

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 3 minute read Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

Chris Paul, the “Point God” who was a 12-time All-Star selection and two-time Olympic gold medalist, announced his retirement on Friday in the capper of a 21-season career that will surely merit induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Paul made the announcement on the first day of the NBA's All-Star weekend at the home of the Los Angeles Clippers in Inglewood, California. Paul spent his final season — an abbreviated one — with the Clippers, who sent him home in December and wound up trading him to Toronto earlier this month.

The Raptors knew Paul would never play in Toronto, and that begged the question about whether the Wake Forest legend would try to finish the season with another team in pursuit of the thing he never got — an NBA title.

The answer came Friday. He's done. He said last summer that he has hated missing events with his children over the last few years, and now he can devote himself much more to his family and other interests.

Read

Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

Basketball player Chris Paul, left, sits with his son Chris Paul Jr. during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game between Southern California and Northwestern, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Bisons eliminate Bobcat men in first round

Thomas Friesen 5 minute read Preview

Bisons eliminate Bobcat men in first round

Thomas Friesen 5 minute read Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026

The moment Sultan Bhatti thought he wanted just 45 minutes after arriving in Brandon is finally here.

His time as a Brandon University Bobcat is over. But instead of a quick change of mind and a return flight to Montreal, it featured a Canada West men’s basketball all-rookie team selection, two and soon to be three all-star nods, and a second-team all-Canadian award over five years of memories.

The six-foot-four forward said those moments flashed before his eyes in a matter of minutes in Vancouver on Thursday night, following a 78-69 loss to the Manitoba Bisons in the first round of the playoffs.

Brandon’s talent had its moments, but Manitoba’s size, speed, and determination won the war at War Memorial Gym.

Read

Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026

Brandon’s Sultan Bhatti drives against the Manitoba Bisons during the first round of the Canada West men’s basketball playoffs in Vancouver on Thursday. (Vamsi Nadella/UBC Thunderbirds)

Big man Jakob Poeltl feeling ‘pretty good’ after return to Toronto Raptors lineup

Myles Dichter, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Big man Jakob Poeltl feeling ‘pretty good’ after return to Toronto Raptors lineup

Myles Dichter, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026

TORONTO - Jakob Poeltl’s return didn’t exactly go to plan.

The Austrian big man played his first game Wednesday after missing 24 with nagging back pain against the Detroit Pistons, but his Toronto Raptors struggled in a 113-95 loss against the Eastern Conference leaders.

Toronto’s loss marked its seventh in as many attempts against the top three seeds in the East, also including the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks.

The Raptors are also now 4-13 against the 10 best teams in the league overall.

Read

Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026

Toronto Raptors' Jakob Poeltl (19) reacts after a foul against Detroit Pistons' Javonte Green (31) during first half NBA basketball action in Toronto, on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

Bobcats prep to beat the Heat

Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Preview

Bobcats prep to beat the Heat

Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026

The Brandon University Bobcats didn’t go crazy when they secured their long-awaited playoff berth.

For one, they clinched their spot after a loss, since they got some help from the Alberta Pandas. But they were subdued because they expected the level of success they’ve achieved.

The Bobcats (7-13) make their return to the 12-team playoffs after eight abysmal seasons, taking on the UBC Okanagan Heat (10-10) on Friday at the University of Regina at 2 p.m.

“Due to … all the hard work they put in over the season, they weren’t as surprised as you would have expected,” said Bobcats head coach Ilarion Bonhomme.

Read

Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026

February 26, 2026

Notification Settings