Raptors Look to Bounce Back Against Celtics

Toronto faces Boston in key late-season NBA matchup

Apr. 5, 2026 at 1:17am

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The Toronto Raptors (42-34) will travel to Boston to take on the Celtics (51-25) at TD Garden on Sunday. The Raptors are coming off a tough loss to the Kings, while the Celtics are riding high after a big win over the Heat. Both teams will be looking to solidify their playoff positioning in this important late-season clash.

Why it matters

This game has significant playoff implications, as the Raptors and Celtics are jockeying for position in the Eastern Conference standings. A win could help either team improve their seeding and playoff outlook.

The details

In their last game, the Raptors fell to the Kings 123-115 despite shooting 54.5% from the field and 68.8% from the free throw line. RJ Barrett led the way for Toronto with 20 points. The Celtics, meanwhile, cruised to a 147-129 victory over the Heat in their previous outing, with Jaylen Brown pouring in 43 points.

  • The Raptors and Celtics will tip off at 1:00 PM ET on Sunday, April 5, 2026.
  • The Raptors are coming off a loss to the Kings on April 3, 2026.
  • The Celtics most recently defeated the Heat on April 3, 2026.

The players

RJ Barrett

A key player for the Raptors who scored 20 points in their last game against the Kings.

Jaylen Brown

The Celtics' leading scorer in their previous game, pouring in 43 points against the Heat.

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What they’re saying

“We have to bounce back quickly and be ready for a tough game against the Celtics. They're a great team and we know it's going to be a battle.”

— RJ Barrett, Raptors Player

“The guys are really clicking right now and we're playing some of our best basketball of the season. We're confident heading into this matchup with the Raptors.”

— Jaylen Brown, Celtics Player

What’s next

The winner of this game will take a big step towards securing a higher playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.

The takeaway

This late-season clash between the Raptors and Celtics will have major implications for both teams' playoff positioning. The Raptors will look to bounce back from a tough loss, while the Celtics aim to continue their strong play and solidify their status as one of the top teams in the East.