The Toronto Raptors are set to welcome back rookie forward Collin Murray-Boyles for a highly-anticipated matchup against the New York Knicks. Head coach Darko Rajakovic confirmed that Murray-Boyles will rejoin the lineup on Wednesday. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sportsnet ONE.
Collin Murray-Boyles Returns
Murray-Boyles has been sidelined for the past four games due to a thumb injury. Remarkably, the Raptors secured victories in all those matches during his absence. After participating in practice on Tuesday, he was deemed fit enough to play, although he was initially listed as questionable.
Rookie Forward’s Performance
The 29-19 Raptors have benefited from Murray-Boyles’s contributions this season. Over 37 games, he has averaged:
- 7.8 points
- 5.1 rebounds
- 2 assists
- 0.9 steals
His shooting splits are an impressive 53.6% from the field, 34.9% from three-point range, and 64.2% from the free-throw line. In particular, he has stepped up in the absence of starting center Jakob Poeltl, starting 13 games and increasing his averages to 9.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists.
Recognition and Impact
This past Monday, Murray-Boyles received the distinction of being named to the NBA’s Rising Stars game, set to take place during the All-Star weekend in February. His performance has been instrumental in the Raptors’ current standing.
RJ Barrett’s Condition
Along with Murray-Boyles’s return, RJ Barrett will remain in the Raptors’ lineup, albeit with a minutes restriction. Barrett is recovering from a left ankle sprain that caused him to miss seven games. Despite this setback, the Raptors have fared well, boasting an 18-7 record with him on the floor.
In the 25 games he played, Barrett has averaged:
- 19.0 points
- 5.1 rebounds
- 3.6 assists
His shooting efficiency stands at 49.4% overall and 34.8% from beyond the arc. The Raptors hope that both metric performances will continue to bolster their quest for success in the remainder of the season.
