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Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles drives to the basket during Game 6 of their first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 1 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.<\/p>\nTORONTO \u2013 While contemplating the biggest games he\u2019s played in, Toronto Raptors rookie forward Collin Murray-Boyles didn\u2019t take long to come to the realization that Sunday\u2019s Game 7 against the Cleveland Cavaliers was atop his list.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the biggest game I\u2019ve ever played in my life. Yeah, without a doubt,\u201d Murray-Boyles told Andscape following the Raptors\u2019 112-110 Game 6 victory against the Cavaliers on May 1. \u201cI\u2019ve never been in a position with such an eager game that we need. I\u2019ve never really had a game like this.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is fun to me. Obviously, I\u2019ve watched the playoffs. But being able to experience a Game 7, it\u2019s amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also been amazing for the Raptors to see Murray-Boyles blossom in the NBA playoffs when they have most needed his production.<\/p>\n
Murray-Boyles is averaging 15.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks in six playoff games against Cleveland. The Columbia, S.C., native 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 guard Immanuel Quickley due to injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very important for the team,\u201d Murray-Boyles said. \u201cObviously, with BI [Ingram] out we need everybody. It\u2019s amplified. Everybody needs to step up more and we\u2019re doing that. But with me especially, I know that we need aggressiveness. I\u2019m going to do whatever is necessary to find angles, find open teammates and be as impactful on the offensive end.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Game 6, Murray-Boyles also had a significant deflection on defense that led to a turnover by Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley with 10.9 seconds remaining in OT. Following Mobley\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was really trying to get an offensive rebound if [Barrett\u2019s] shot went off the rim,\u201d Murray-Boyles said. \u201cBut when it went in, that was the craziest shot I\u2019ve seen in my life in person at least. That\u2019s the top for sure. I was just trying to box [my defender] out.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles drives to the basket during Game 6 of their first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 1 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.<\/p>\n
Vaughn Ridley\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n
The 2025 NBA draft was highlighted by several talented rookies. Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg won 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year honors. Charlotte Hornets rookie guard Kon Knueppel, Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe and San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Brooks also had standout seasons. But there wasn\u2019t much conversation about Murray-Boyles, who was drafted ninth overall out of South Carolina.<\/p>\n
While the top rookies were flourishing, Murray-Boyles wasn\u2019t jealous. He was more worried about helping the Raptors win than trying to become an All-NBA Rookie Team selection.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was happy [for the top rookies], but I wasn\u2019t worried about any numbers they were putting up,\u201d Murray-Boyles said. \u201cI was just worried about our success and trying to win as many games as possible. I\u2019m 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\u2019t really make me want to over-perform or over-succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Murray-Boyles averaged 8.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game in 57 regular-season games on 57.9% shooting. The 6-foot-7, 245-pounder played for Team Melo during the Rising Stars Challenge at NBA All-Star Weekend but only played one minute due to a thumb issue.<\/p>\n
Murray-Boyles graded his rookie season as a \u201cB-minus.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe way that I play just highlights the system that we have,\u201d Murray-Boyles said. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t really stand out. I just play hard and try to do all the dirty work. Obviously, it doesn\u2019t really show up in highlights in the way [when] I dunk on somebody. Whatever I do, it just impacts winning. It doesn\u2019t stick out like a sore thumb.<\/p>\n
\u201cI definitely did better than I expected [this season]. The way I\u2019ve progressed from where I started is just a tremendous jump. I can only congratulate myself on that.\u201d<\/p>\n
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