Raptors are becoming the team Darko Rajaković promised to deliver

New York Times

05-02-2025

TORONTO — Midway through the fourth quarter at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday night, the darndest thing happened: The fans started an earnest, enthusiastic 'Let's go, Raptors' chant.
It's not that this was happening for the first time this season, but it felt like it was the loudest such cheer. No single play inspired it: Rookie point guard Jamal Shead was zooming out in transition, Gradey Dick hit a couple of big 3s, and Jonathan Mogbo, sent to Raptors 905 for an extended stint recently, was making defensive plays at the rim.
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As the New York Knicks lagged on the rough end of a back-to-back, the Raptors slowly cut into a 17-point lead that had ballooned to 23 at one point. Without injured starters RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl, head coach Darko Rajaković rolled with a small-ball lineup down the stretch — one that included three rookies (from a historically weak NBA Draft, according to scouts, experts and early statistical returns), a sophomore and Scottie Barnes as the veteran glue. Simply, the fans appreciated how the Raptors were playing.
The Raptors lost 121-115. The Knicks had an All-Star guard in Jalen Brunson. Meanwhile, the Raptors' highly paid guard, Immanuel Quickley, is on a minutes restriction after a groin injury. But as the largely anonymous lineup tried to scrap together a comeback, it was hard not to admire the promises about the team's culture that head coach Darko Rajaković has made: His team will play hard, unselfishly and won't give up on games.
OCHAI AGBAJI. DENIAL. 🚫 pic.twitter.com/cSb1cF1bU8
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 5, 2025
'The last 10 games, I would say we've been pretty locked into how we're supposed to be playing,' Garrett Temple told The Athletic. 'That second half was really how we want to play, point blank, no matter who's on the court. I think the biggest thing with that closing lineup is that those guys are developing. They're understanding how we want to play. They're trusting what Coach and the coaching staff has put out there, and they're developing. They're getting better as NBA players, which is all you can ask for.'
The Raptors are, more often than not, moving the ball, running whenever possible and scrapping on defence. It isn't always textbook, but it's effortful, whether the majority of the team's veterans are available or not. It's what Rajaković promised.
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It has been hard to know what to make of the Raptors' recent 8-3 run, during which they have matched their win total from the first 39 games. They have some schedule and injury luck, the same things that worked against them early in the season. Nothing they have done should radically alter the Raptors' plans before Thursday's trade deadline.
When trying to figure out what the wins mean, though, it's best to zoom in, not out. Tuesday's game started with Dick, not known for his defence, pressing Knicks wing Mikal Bridges full court. After the game, Rajaković said the Raptors wanted to exert pressure on the Knicks, who played Monday, to tire them out throughout the game. The Knicks finished by scoring just 23 points in the fourth quarter, shooting 10-for-26 and earning no trips to the free-throw line.
'Just to see Gradey do it at the beginning,' rookie Ja'Kobe Walter said, 'that already gives us life.'
Meanwhile, the game ended with Jonathan Mogbo, whose role has diminished as the Raptors have gotten healthier, guarding Karl-Anthony Towns, who feasted early in the night. Shead was on Brunson.
Brunson made some shots, but Shead made him work. Mogbo and Shead were the 31st and 45th picks in last June's draft.
'It's really helpful,' Shead said of playing late in close games. 'Game experience is second to none. Just being out there, being able to guard people like Jalen Brunson. Those two games in Atlanta versus Trae (Young), I played a lot of minutes in those games. Just playing against that level of competition is going to raise your level.'
So much energy this season has been spent wondering how many wins are too many for the Raptors. There will come a time when it's wise to shut things down for some of their more useful veterans. Poeltl has been dealing with a hip pointer for a few games, and those injuries can linger. He did not play in the second half. Barrett is in the league's concussion protocol, which offers only uncertainty.
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In their absence, though, the Raptors leaned into any attempts at gathering floor burns. That matches the way they've played during their winning stretch — just with a little less proven talent on the floor against the Knicks, which was the difference. It will be the difference in some games in March. If the Raptors continue to play like this, it will be easy to accept.
'To be honest with you,' Rajaković said, 'I'm really proud of how we kept our composure during the whole game.'
About 45 minutes after the game, Knicks assistant coach Daisuke Yoshimoto, who focusses on player development, shared a word with his counterpart on the Raptors, veteran coach Jim Sann.
'Man,' Yoshimoto said, 'you guys fought like crazy.'
Night after night since 2025 started, the Raptors have earned that reputation.
(Photo of Ochai Agbaji: Cole Burston / Getty Images)