Raptors rookie Collin Murray-Boyles impresses despite rust in debut
Game 2 of the Las Vegas Summer League was all about Collin Murray-Boyle's debut for the Toronto Raptors.
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The ninth pick of last month's NBA draft had been hobbled a bit by an injury since late in the pre-draft process (his first workout, a healthy one, thoroughly impressed the Raptors months ago), so was understandably a bit rusty in his first game action in ages Sunday.
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There was an instant turnover on his first touch of the ball followed by an early air-balled three-pointer, another later, and some foul issues, but Murray-Boyles also quickly showed why he was so well-regarded as a defender.
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ESPN had tabbed Murray-Boyles as the best off-ball defender in his draft class and Sunday's game was filled with evidence that backed up the assertion.
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Toronto again played an aggressive, nearly pressing brand of defence on the Orlando guards (the formula that had led to a humiliation of the Chicago Bulls in Toronto's opener Friday). It felt like the Raptors were insulted when an opponent successfully got the ball over half court and other Raptors were there to swarm the opponent if they did beat the first defender. But the downside of an approach like that is if it doesn't work, it can lead to a lot of open shots. That's where Murray-Boyles, in particular, came in.
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The South Carolina standout simply plays with defensive instincts the vast majority of rookies can't match. He always seemed to be in the right place to help defensively Sunday and his quick and strong hands generated turnover after turnover. Plus there was an eye-opening sequence late in the third quarter when Murray-Boyles blocked a layup attempt and ended up throwing down a two-handed putback dunk at the other end.
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#9 pick Collin Murray-Boyles is making PLAYS on both ends for the @Raptors 🙌 #NBA2KSummerLeague on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/fuJ5qhYC07
— NBA (@NBA) July 13, 2025
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