Jakob Poeltl made his return to the Toronto Raptors lineup after missing 24 games due to back pain, but unfortunately, his comeback did not lead to a victory as the Raptors fell to the Detroit Pistons 113-95. The game showcased the Raptors' ongoing difficulties against top opponents, making it their seventh consecutive loss to teams within the Eastern Conference's top three, which now includes the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. This loss has intensified scrutiny on the Raptors, who now have a dismal record of 4-13 against the league's best teams this season.

During the game, Poeltl acknowledged that the Pistons outworked and outperformed the Raptors on numerous occasions. Despite moments of good play, the Raptors struggled to capitalize on the opportunities given to them, often failing to make open shots and committing turnovers at crucial times. This inconsistency in gameplay highlights the challenges the team is facing in their bid to improve their standing in the league, as they now sit fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 32-23 record.

Detroit's impressive performance marked a significant milestone as they became the first team in the Eastern Conference to reach 40 wins this season, reflecting their dominance on the court. For the Raptors, this loss raises concerns about their competitiveness against the league's elite, as they will need to make significant adjustments if they hope to turn their season around and progress further in the standings.