Raptors Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles Emerges as Playoff X-Factor, Outplaying Veteran Jakob Poeltl

Key facts

• Collin Murray-Boyles, born June 10, 2005, in Columbia, United States, was drafted 9th overall by the Toronto Raptors in 2025.
• In his first two playoff games, Murray-Boyles scored 31 points, the most by a Raptors rookie in franchise history.
• Game 1: 14 points on 7-for-8 shooting, 4 rebounds, 4 assists in 20 minutes. Game 2: 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block in 26 minutes.
• The Cavaliers scored only 48 points in 70 possessions against the Raptors' defense in Game 4, per HoopsHype.
• Veteran center Jakob Poeltl started Games 1 and 2 but was ineffective, prompting coach Darko Rajakovic to pivot to Murray-Boyles at center.
• The Raptors evened the series at 2-2 with a 93-89 win in Game 4, following a 112-110 overtime win in Game 3.
• Murray-Boyles has held his own against Cavaliers big men Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, providing defensive versatility and lateral quickness.
• Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett each scored 33 points in Game 3, while Brandon Ingram added 23 in Game 4.

A Rookie Reshapes Toronto's Playoff Identity

Collin Murray-Boyles, the 20-year-old rookie forward from Columbia, South Carolina, has become the linchpin of the Toronto Raptors' playoff hopes. In just two games, he has forced a fundamental shift in the team's strategy, outplaying veteran center Jakob Poeltl and setting a franchise rookie scoring record in the process. The Raptors, trailing 0-2 in their first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, turned to Murray-Boyles as a starter at center in Game 3. The result: a 112-110 overtime victory, capped by an RJ Barrett three-pointer, followed by a 93-89 win in Game 4 that tied the series at 2-2.

Historic Scoring Feat and Defensive Impact

Murray-Boyles scored 14 points on 7-for-8 shooting in Game 1, adding four rebounds and four assists in just over 20 minutes. In Game 2, with an increased role, he produced 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting, seven rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block in nearly 26 minutes. His combined 31 points are the most by a Raptors rookie in their first two playoff games in franchise history. Beyond scoring, Murray-Boyles has anchored a defense that held the Cavaliers to just 48 points in 70 possessions in Game 4, dubbed a "swarm" by coach Darko Rajakovic, has neutralized Cleveland's offense, with Murray-Boyles' lateral quickness and versatility proving critical against All-Star big men Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

Poeltl's Decline Forces a Tactical Pivot

Jakob Poeltl, the Raptors' starting center for most of the season, struggled mightily in the first two games. His particularly poor Game 2 performance forced Rajakovic to bench him for the remainder of the night, turning to Murray-Boyles as the primary option at the five. The shift has been stark: with Poeltl on the floor, the Raptors were outmatched; with Murray-Boyles, they have found a blueprint that works. "It took two games for Collin Murray-Boyles to prove why the Raptors must pivot to him as their key playoff big against the Cavs," one analyst noted. The rookie's hustle, defensive versatility, and ability to switch onto guards have made him a "winning factor" in the postseason, while Poeltl's declining mobility has become a liability.

Parallels to Scottie Barnes' 2022 Playoff Breakout

Murray-Boyles' emergence echoes that of Scottie Barnes, who as a rookie in 2022 cemented himself as a key contributor against the Philadelphia 76ers despite losing the series. Barnes, now an All-Star, has been a central figure in this series, scoring 23 points in Game 4 and 33 in Game 3 alongside RJ Barrett. The pairing of Barnes and Murray-Boyles, analysts suggest, could become the prototype for NBA frontcourts of the future. "The Raptors have discovered an X-Factor in the series vs the Cleveland Cavaliers. His name is Collin Murray-Boyles, and he has made things very difficult," a report from Cleveland Cavaliers On SI stated. The rookie's ability to hold his own against two formidable bigs is no small feat, especially given his relative inexperience.

What's Next for the Raptors' Rotation

The question now is whether Rajakovic will stick with Murray-Boyles as the starting center for the remainder of the series. The coaching staff has a two-game sample with Poeltl in his usual role, and it has not been effective. "How reasonable would it be to play a game of 'what if' with Poeltl when you're down 0-2 already?" one analyst asked. "You have to go with the proven commodity." Murray-Boyles has earned the opportunity to run with it, but the Raptors also face a longer-term dilemma: ideally, both he and Poeltl would coexist, but the rookie has essentially played the veteran off the floor. For now, Toronto's playoff fortunes rest on a 20-year-old who has shown no signs of being overwhelmed by the moment.

A Franchise Cornerstone in the Making

The Raptors' front office, which selected Murray-Boyles with the ninth overall pick in the 2025 draft, appears to have struck gold. History favors that draft slot: Tracy McGrady was taken ninth in 1997 and became a Hall of Famer. While Murray-Boyles is far from a finished product, his playoff performance suggests he could be a cornerstone for years to come. "CMB has been every bit ready to take on the bright lights of the postseason head-on," one observer wrote. As the series shifts back to Cleveland for Game 5, the Raptors will rely on their rookie to continue disrupting the Cavaliers' offense and providing the energy that has defined their resurgence.

The bottom line

• Collin Murray-Boyles scored 31 points in his first two playoff games, a Raptors rookie record, and has been the team's most effective defender against Cleveland's frontcourt.
• The Raptors' decision to start Murray-Boyles at center over Jakob Poeltl coincided with two consecutive wins, tying the series at 2-2.
• Murray-Boyles' defensive versatility, lateral quickness, and hustle have neutralized Cavaliers big men Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
• The rookie's emergence parallels Scottie Barnes' 2022 playoff breakout, suggesting a long-term frontcourt pairing for Toronto.
• Coach Darko Rajakovic's tactical shift to a 'swarm' defense has been enabled by Murray-Boyles' ability to switch and guard multiple positions.
• The Raptors' front office, which drafted Murray-Boyles ninth overall in 2025, has found a potential franchise cornerstone reminiscent of Tracy McGrady's selection at the same slot.