It’s been a whirlwind for Brandon Ingram ever since the Toronto Raptors acquired him last year. He became somewhat forgotten by the NBA, but one year later, he’s on his way to making his second All-Star team. Even better, his Raptors’ teammates celebrated his most recent milestone.
Raptors Shower Congratulations on Brandon Ingram After Second All-Star Nod
After ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Ingram would replace Stephen Curry in the All-Star game, Ingram revealed to reporters how his teammates reacted to his return to the All-Star game. It started with head coach Darko Rajaković congratulating him before everyone else did, and things escalated from there.
“They told me, ‘Congrats,’ everybody else told me, ‘Congrats,’ and I was the last one to know,” Ingram told reporters, per 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.”
Lou himself then shared a video of Ingram’s teammates serenading him after the nod.
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
This is the first time Ingram has made the team since 2020, when he made it in his first season with the New Orleans Pelicans. Ingram’s talent is undeniable, but what’s held him back has been his inability to stay on the floor. He hasn’t been able to crack the 70-game mark since his rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
This season, however, is shaping up to be his healthiest. Ingram has suited up in 52 of the Raptors’ 54 games this season. So it’s not too surprising that the season in which he is finally able to consistently, he gets a nod in the All-Star game.
On the season, he’s averaging 22 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 47.2% from the field and 36.4% from three. This has clearly been a mutually beneficial union for the Raptors, as they are 32-22, on pace for their best record since Scottie Barnes’ rookie season and first playoff appearance since 2022.
The Raptors have been routinely criticized for making win-now moves when it seemed clear they were going nowhere in previous seasons. Ingram’s production and his accomplishments are the fruits of their labors.
Plus, at 28, this may not be the last time he represents the Raptors at the All-Star Game. As long as this healthy season he’s been having is the start of a trend, things may only go up from here.
