The Raptors’ rookie ‘warrior’ who played X-factor in Game 3 domination of Cavs

The Toronto Raptors avoided the inescapable playoff hole that is a 3-0 series deficit, as they earned their first win of the 2026 NBA playoffs in a 126-104 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers to pull within one game in the series, 2-1. Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett combined for 66 points and would most likely garner most of the headlines, and deservedly so.

Nonetheless, the Raptors have been relying on an unheralded X-factor who once again showed up in Game 3 and battled against the Cavs’ more ballyhooed frontcourt duo of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. He may be undersized, and he may be a rookie, but Collin Murray-Boyles is turning everybody’s heads, especially after dropping 22 points and eight rebounds in their Game 3 victory.

After the game, Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic gave Murray-Boyles his much-deserved props, especially when he’s now averaging 17.7 points through the first three playoff games of his career despite coming off the bench.

“He is a warrior, to be honest with you… I thought he had a high level performance tonight and I [attribute] that to the power of his will,” Rajakovic said, per Josh Lewenberg of TSN.

Murray-Boyles has been displaying so much poise that it’s hard to remember that this is only his first year in the NBA. His offensive game looked like it would need a lot of work still, but he has been content to stick to his game and not do too much, resulting in one good game after another.

The Raptors have certainly struck gold by drafting him with the ninth overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, as he isn’t just looking like a generational defensive player in the making, his offensive game has also been much more advanced than anticipated.

Murray-Boyles and Barnes are going to make life hell for opposing players for years to come, starting now.

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