TORONTO – Everyone on the Toronto Raptors is hurting but, with three regular-season games left on the schedule and the ultimate playoff spot theirs for the taking, they’re playing through it.
Scottie Barnes had 25 points, eight rebounds and five assists as Toronto earned a critical 121-95 win over the Miami Heat on Tuesday. In line with head coach Darko Rajakovic, Barnes took a stiff shot to his ribs within the Raptors’ 115-101 loss to the Boston Celtics two days earlier.
“I’ve been banged up, but, you recognize, you’ve just got to play through it,” said Barnes after the victory over Miami. “Can’t really give attention to that, just attempt to play along with your brain and take a look at to make certain that you are feeling nearly as good as possible. Trick yourself in that way.
“But just go on the market and play with a variety of effort, play with a variety of energy, recover, and just attempt to win.”
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Toronto (44-35) tightened its grip on the sixth and final playoff spot within the Eastern Conference with the win.
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Miami (41-38) was tenth within the East, holding the fourth seed within the conference’s play-in tournament, three games back of the Raptors.
The 2 teams meet again Thursday at Scotiabank Arena.
Immanuel Quickley (plantar fasciitis, right foot), Sandro Mamukelashvili (left knee soreness) and rookie centre Collin Murray-Boyles (right quad contusion) were all game-time decisions, but were made available to play for Toronto lower than an hour before the opening tipoff.
“Long season, man. It’s hard. It’s tough,” said Murray-Boyles, who had six points and eight rebounds but was plus-17 against Miami. “Obviously, that is like three (collegiate) seasons, all balled into one.
“Definitely tough, but I feel it helps me for the long run, knowing the way to really prepare myself for these style of moments, especially at the top of this season.”
Murray-Boyles had two blocks and a steal because the Raptors turned in a formidable defensive showing.
The Heat have been held to fewer than 100 points just six times this season, but three of those times were against Toronto.
On top of dealing along with his right-quad contusion, Murray-Boyles has been managing a sprained left thumb throughout the season. Even though it takes a beating in every rebound, block, steal and deflection, the 20-year-old said he has no intention of slowing down.
“I wouldn’t be playing if I did that. That’s my identity, being aggressive,” said Murray-Boyles. “, being a defensive pest on the market, being energetic and stuff like that, that’s what I made a reputation off of.
“I actually have to do it.”
Quickley began against Miami, scoring three points and adding 4 assists and 4 rebounds in 18 minutes of play.
Rajakovic said that, despite the dominant win over the Heat, Toronto still isn’t playing to one of the best of its abilities.
“Because we’re really banged up still,” he said. “Several guys played banged up, played through a variety of pain.
“That’s the NBA. That’s the a part of the season we’re in.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 8, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press