Brandon Ingram’s journey with the Toronto Raptors has taken a remarkable turn as he earned his second All-Star selection this season, an achievement that sparked excitement among his teammates and coaches. After being acquired by the Raptors last year, Ingram quietly rebuilt his reputation, and when ESPN’s Shams Charania announced Ingram would replace Stephen Curry in the 2026 All-Star Game, the Raptors rallied around him in celebration.
Inside the Team’s Reaction to Ingram’s All-Star Call-Up
Ingram shared how the news unfolded within the Raptors’ locker room, beginning with a personal congratulation from head coach Darko Rajaković. The support from teammates quickly grew, culminating in a lively celebration.
They told me, ‘Congrats,’ everybody else told me, ‘Congrats,’ and I was the last one to know,
Ingram said, according to Raptors reporter William Lou.
And then everybody just kept jumping on me for 5 minutes. After that, I guess the emotions were too high, and he just cancelled practice. Now we’re just shooting and we’ll have shootaround tomorrow before the All-Star break.
William Lou also posted video footage capturing the moment as the Raptors players enthusiastically congratulated Ingram, highlighting the emotional atmosphere and showing Rajaković’s contagious energy.
here’s the footage and its very sweet. darko is a mad man lmao. https://t.co/pYYygju1Bi pic.twitter.com/28n4CwhOSP
— William Lou, Raptors Reporter
Ingram’s Resurgence and Consistency This Season
This marks Ingram’s first All-Star appearance since 2020, when he was selected as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans. Known for his scoring ability, Ingram’s progress had often been slowed by injuries; he has not played more than 70 games in a season since his rookie year with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the 2025-26 season is proving to be his healthiest yet, having participated in 52 of the Raptors’ 54 games so far.
His performance on the court this year reflects his improved durability and skill, with averages of 22 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, complemented by a shooting percentage of 47.2% from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc. These numbers have played a crucial part in the Raptors’ strong standing this season.
Impact on the Raptors’ Season and Future Prospects
The Raptors are currently 32-22, poised to achieve their best record since Scottie Barnes’ rookie year and the team’s last playoff run in 2022. This success comes amid previous skepticism regarding the team’s strategy of pursuing immediate wins following years of underperformance. Ingram’s All-Star selection symbolizes the payoff of these moves, showcasing the value he brings to the squad both in skill and leadership.
At 28 years old, Ingram’s revival suggests that his All-Star nod may not be a one-time milestone. If his current level of health and play continues, he could remain a key contributor and frequent representative for Toronto at upcoming All-Star events, strengthening the Raptors’ lineup as they aim for sustained postseason success.
Brandon Ingram describes the incredible moment of Darko announcing that he was an All-Star:
"They just kept jumping on me for 5 minutes. After that, I guess the emotions were too high and he just cancelled practice." pic.twitter.com/TdouyiGXT1
— William Lou (@william_lou) February 10, 2026
here's the footage and its very sweet. darko is a mad man lmao. https://t.co/pYYygju1Bi pic.twitter.com/28n4CwhOSP
— William Lou (@william_lou) February 10, 2026
