Murray-Boyles stepping up in playoffs - BERITAJA

CLEVELAND – When starting centre Jakob Poeltl started to struggle against the Cleveland Cavaliers again, Toronto Raptors caput coach Darko Rajakovic knew who to move to.

Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles.

Poeltl managed 2 points and 4 rebounds successful nether 10 minutes of play, not rubbing the tribunal successful the 2nd half of Toronto’s 115-105 nonaccomplishment to the Cavaliers connected Monday. Murray-Boyles stepped into Poeltl’s shoes, finishing pinch 17 points, 7 rebounds, a artifact and a bargain successful about 26 minutes of play.

“It’s conscionable the spot that he’s put successful maine to fto maine do that pinch confidence,” said Murray-Boyles connected what Rajakovic’s coaching determination meant to him. “I’ve messed up successful the past, and now everything that he’s been telling maine successful the past is now starting to travel retired successful this series, conscionable maine attacking the ball, maine being aggressive, maine being myself.

“It’s been a process to get to this point, but I’m thankful for an opportunity to defender immoderate of the champion guys.”

A earthy powerfulness guardant astatine six-foot-seven and 245 pounds, the 20-year-old Murray-Boyles has played beyond his property successful his rookie play pinch Toronto. The Raptors first-round prime successful the 2025 draft, he averaged 8.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists successful the regular play but, much importantly, showed the athleticism and physicality to defender immoderate of the champion players successful the NBA.

That includes immoderate of the biggest names successful Cleveland’s lineup specified arsenic Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Donovan Mitchell and James Harden.

“Some of (the Cavalier) lineups that they had retired location pinch a batch of awesome shooters,” said Rajakovic connected subbing Murray-Boyles successful for Poeltl. “We wanted to beryllium capable to move much successful pick-and-rolls and Collin was providing a amended matchup there.”

Although he’s still a activity successful progress, Rajakovic likes what he’s seen from the large rookie successful his first 2 NBA playoff games.

“I deliberation he’s figuring retired strength of (the) NBA game, figuring retired referees and what is simply a foul successful the playoffs, what’s not a foul. Obviously, location is simply a quality there,” said Rajakovic. “I thought that he did a really bully occupation for a rookie to measurement successful there, and he did not flinch 1 moment. He did not backmost off.

“I’m really proud of him. This is astonishing for his growth.”

Murray-Boyles said that his biggest takeaway from post-season hoops is that it requires accrued concentration.

“Realistically, the mentality shouldn’t beryllium different,” said Murray-Boyles successful the visitor’s locker room astatine Rocket Arena successful Cleveland. “We’re trying to play each crippled the aforesaid way, sloppy if it’s regular play aliases playoffs, but it’s conscionable different level of focus, for illustration it’s the biggest thing, each possession matters.”

The Cavaliers clasp a 2-0 lead successful the best-of-seven series. Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena will big Game 3 connected Thursday and Game 4 connected Sunday.

This study by BERITAJA was first published April 21, 2026.