CLEVELAND – When starting centre Jakob Poeltl began to struggle against the Cleveland Cavaliers again, Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic knew who to show to.
Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles.
Poeltl managed two points and 4 rebounds in under 10 minutes of play, not touching the court within the second half of Toronto’s 115-105 loss to the Cavaliers on Monday. Murray-Boyles stepped into Poeltl’s shoes, ending with 17 points, seven rebounds, a block and a steal in nearly 26 minutes of play.
“It’s just the trust that he’s put in me to let me try this with confidence,” said Murray-Boyles on what Rajakovic’s coaching decision meant to him. “I’ve tousled previously, and now the whole lot that he’s been telling me previously is now starting to come back out on this series, just me attacking the ball, me being aggressive, me being myself.
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“It’s been a process to get so far, but I’m thankful for a possibility to protect a few of one of the best guys.”
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A natural power forward at six-foot-seven and 245 kilos, the 20-year-old Murray-Boyles has played beyond his age in his rookie season with Toronto. The Raptors first-round pick within the 2025 draft, he averaged 8.5 points, five rebounds, and 1.9 assists within the regular season but, more importantly, showed the athleticism and physicality to protect a few of one of the best players within the NBA.
That features a few of the biggest names in Cleveland’s lineup akin to Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Donovan Mitchell and James Harden.
“A few of (the Cavalier) lineups that they’d on the market with a number of great shooters,” said Rajakovic on subbing Murray-Boyles in for Poeltl. “We desired to give you the option to modify more in pick-and-rolls and Collin was providing a greater matchup there.”
Although he’s still a piece in progress, Rajakovic likes what he’s seen from the large rookie in his first two NBA playoff games.
“I believe he’s determining intensity of (the) NBA game, determining referees and what’s a foul within the playoffs, what’s not a foul. Obviously, there’s a difference there,” said Rajakovic. “I believed that he did a very good job for a rookie to step in there, and he didn’t flinch one moment. He didn’t back off.
“I’m really happy with him. That is amazing for his growth.”
Murray-Boyles said that his biggest takeaway from post-season basketball is that it requires increased concentration.
“Realistically, the mentality shouldn’t be different,” said Murray-Boyles within the visitor’s locker room at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. “We’re attempting to play every game the identical way, regardless if it’s regular season or playoffs, nevertheless it’s just one other level of focus, prefer it’s the largest thing, every possession matters.”
The Cavaliers hold a 2-0 lead within the best-of-seven series. Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena will host Game 3 on Thursday and Game 4 on Sunday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press