The Highest Points Scored Against the Toronto Raptors in NBA History

When the Toronto Raptors joined the NBA in 1993 (with 1995-96 as their inaugural season), as Canada's first franchise (the Vancouver Grizzlies were awarded their franchise in 1994), they entered the league undermanned in talent. Over the course of three decades, the Raptors have witnessed some of the most spectacular individual offensive performances in basketball history. 

1. Kobe Bryant - 81 Points 

On January 22, 2006, Kobe Bryant delivered the second-greatest individual scoring performance in NBA history, dropping 81 points on the Toronto Raptors in a 122-104 Lakers comeback victory at Staples Center. Bryant shot 28-of-46 from the field, hit 7-of-13 from three-point range, and went 18-for-20 from the free-throw line in 42 minutes while adding 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals. Bryant’s game was even more impressive considering that the Lakers trailed by 18 points early in the third quarter before he exploded for 55 points in the second half, including 27 in the third and 28 in the fourth. The Lakers' All-NBA guard single-handedly outscored the entire Raptors team 55-41 in the final two quarters, accounting for all but 18 of the Lakers' second-half points, attacking the Raptors' defense from every spot on the floor, hitting contested jumpers over multiple defenders, including Jalen Rose, Morris Peterson, and Mike James.

2. LeBron James - 56 Points

Twenty-year-old LeBron James became the youngest player in NBA history to score 50 points in a game on March 20, 2005 (Brandon Jennings surpassed this record in 2009), dropping 56 on the Toronto Raptors despite a 105-98 loss at Air Canada Centre. James shot 18-of-36 from the field, hit 6-of-12 from three-point range, and added 14-of-15 from the free-throw line while adding 10 rebounds and 5 assists in a complete 48-minute effort. The Cleveland Cavaliers' second-year star scored 16 points in the first quarter and never let up. James' 56-point effort was the first 50+ game for the Cavs since Walt Wesley hit 50 in 1971. While Toronto may have won the game, James would have his way with the Raptors many times over during the playoffs throughout the duration of his career in the Eastern Conference.

3. Kevin Durant - 51 Points 

Kevin Durant has tormented the Raptors for 51 points not once, but twice, making him the only player in NBA history to record two 50+-point games against Toronto. His first came on March 21, 2014, as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, when he shot 15-of-32 from the field, hit 7-of-12 from three, and added 14-of-19 free throws while grabbing 12 rebounds and dishing 7 assists in 52 minutes as the Thunder survived 119-118 in double overtime. His second 51-point outburst came on November 29, 2018, while playing with the Golden State Warriors, in a spectacular 131-128 overtime loss to Toronto at Scotiabank Arena. Durant shot 18-of-31 from the field, 4-of-7 from three, and 11-of-12 from the line while adding 11 rebounds and 6 assists in 43 minutes. Despite Durant's hot hand, Leonard answered with 37 points, and Pascal Siakam added 26 as the Raptors outscored the Warriors 12-9 in the extra period.

3. Allen Iverson - 51 Points

Allen Iverson erupted for 51 points on January 21, 2001, but his memorable performance wasn't enough as the Philadelphia 76ers fell to the Toronto Raptors 110-106 in overtime. The Answer shot 20-of-40 from the field, hit 4-of-8 from three-point range, and went 7-for-8 from the free-throw line while adding 4 assists and 3 rebounds in 51 minutes. In the battle of two Eastern Conference stars, Vince Carter did his best to match Iverson with 39 points for Toronto. The game was a preview of their epic seven-game Eastern Conference Semifinals series later that spring. The 51 points were just one of many explosive performances Iverson delivered during his 2000-01 MVP season, when he led the league in scoring at 31.1 points per game and carried the 76ers to the NBA Finals. 

5. Damian Lillard - 50 Points

Of the two players to record 50 points against the Raptors (Jamal Crawford did it in 2004), Damian Lillard was the most recent as the Portland Trail Blazers guard put on an offensive clinic on March 4, 2016, scoring 50 points in a heartbreaking 117-115 loss to the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. Lillard shot 16-of-28 from the field, hit 6-of-13 from three-point range, and went 12-for-13 from the free-throw line while adding 5 assists and 3 rebounds in 40 minutes. Lillard exploded for 22 points in the final 12 minutes and went 4-of-7 from three-point range, nearly erasing what had been a 13-point deficit. However, Toronto's star duo of DeMar DeRozan (38 points) and Kyle Lowry (28 points) was too much to handle, with DeRozan making an NBA-record 24 consecutive free throws to secure the victory.