Toronto Raptors rookie Collin Murray-Boyles is rising at right time in NBA playoffs
After quiet regular season, the first-year forward has blossomed in first-round series against Cleveland Cavaliers
TORONTO — While contemplating the biggest games he’s played in, Toronto Raptors rookie forward Collin Murray-Boyles didn’t take long to come to the realization that Sunday’s Game 7 against the Cleveland Cavaliers was atop his list.
“This is the biggest game I’ve ever played in my life. Yeah, without a doubt,” Murray-Boyles told Andscape following the Raptors’ 112-110 victory in Game 6 of their first-round series against Cleveland on Friday. “I’ve never been in a position with such an eager game that we need. I’ve never really had a game like this.
“This is fun to me. Obviously, I’ve watched the playoffs. But being able to experience a Game 7, it’s amazing.”
It’s also been amazing for the Raptors to see Murray-Boyles blossom in the NBA playoffs when they have most needed his production.
The 20-year-old forward is averaging 15.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks in six playoff games against the Cavaliers. He had 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting, five made free throws, seven rebounds, three blocks, two steals and four turnovers in 40 minutes off the bench in Game 6.
His offense and defense in Game 6 were critical to the Raptors as they were without NBA All-Star forward Brandon Ingram and veteran guard Immanuel Quickley due to injury.
“It’s very important for the team,” Murray-Boyles said. “Obviously, with BI [Ingram] out we need everybody. It’s amplified. Everybody needs to step up more, and we’re doing that. But with me especially, I know that we need aggressiveness. I’m going to do whatever is necessary to find angles, find open teammates and be as impactful on the offensive end.”
In Game 6, Murray-Boyles also had a significant deflection on defense that led to a turnover by Cleveland forward Evan Mobley with 10.9 seconds remaining in overtime. Following that turnover, Raptors forward RJ Barrett nailed a 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining to give Toronto a 112-110 lead and ultimately the win. Mobley missed a 3-pointer off the front of the rim as time expired.
“I was really trying to get an offensive rebound if [Barrett’s] shot went off the rim,” Murray-Boyles said. “But when it went in, that was the craziest shot I’ve seen in my life, in-person at least. That’s the top for sure. I was just trying to box [my defender] out.
“I wasn’t really looking at the shot, for real. I was just trying to figure out how to get around him. But the crowd went crazy when it went in. That was fire.”
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The 2025 NBA draft was highlighted by several talented rookies. Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg won 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year honors. Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel, Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe and San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper also had standout seasons. But there wasn’t much conversation about Murray-Boyles, whom Toronto drafted ninth overall out of South Carolina.
While the top rookies were flourishing, Murray-Boyles said he wasn’t jealous. He was more worried about helping the Raptors win than trying to become an All-NBA Rookie Team selection.
“I was happy [for the top rookies], but I wasn’t worried about any numbers they were putting up,” Murray-Boyles said. “I was just worried about our success and trying to win as many games as possible. I’m not really caught up in my success, make headlines or trying to do anything outside of my game or outside of winning. So, that didn’t really make me want to overperform or oversucceed.”
Murray-Boyles averaged 8.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game in 57 regular-season games on 57.9% shooting. At 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds, he played for Team Melo during the Rising Stars Challenge at NBA All-Star Weekend but only logged one minute because of a thumb issue.
Murray-Boyles graded his rookie season as a “B-minus.”
“The way that I play just highlights the system that we have,” Murray-Boyles said. “It doesn’t really stand out. I just play hard and try to do all the dirty work. Obviously, it doesn’t really show up in highlights in the way [when] I dunk on somebody. Whatever I do, it just impacts winning. It doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb.
“I definitely did better than I expected [this season]. The way I’ve progressed from where I started is just a tremendous jump. I can only congratulate myself on that.”
By playing up to the caliber of an All-NBA Rookie Team player during the postseason so far, Murray-Boyles has become a rising player to watch. Another significant performance in Game 7 Sunday night would add to his sudden notoriety.
When asked what he would say to his new fans and followers, Murray-Boyles said he didn’t know what to say.
“If they know basketball, they see my progression, my impact that I make,” he said. “But a lot of people don’t watch basketball for real, so it is what it is.”
Regardless to what happens in Cleveland on Sunday night, Murray-Boyles has already become a fan favorite among Raptors fans. The feeling is mutual for Toronto and Canada as well; he had never been to Canada before being drafted by the Raptors, but he has already fallen love with the city.
“Being outside of the United States, I knew it was going to be different, but I like it here,” Murray-Boyles said. “Just the diversity is the biggest thing that stands out compared to any city in the States. And then the love they show in Toronto especially, or the whole country, you’re not going to find that anywhere else. So, it’s been amazing. I love it here. I love everybody here. It’s been good.”