Raptors Rookie Murray-Boyles Emerges as Playoff X-Factor Against Cavaliers

Key facts

• Collin Murray-Boyles, 20, was the ninth pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
• In four playoff games, he averages 17 points and 7.3 rebounds in 25.5 minutes per game.
• He scored 68 points and grabbed 31 rebounds in the series, the first Raptors rookie to score double digits in his first four playoff games.
• Murray-Boyles held Evan Mobley to 2 points after replacing Jakob Poeltl in Game 4; Cavs scored 48 points in 70 possessions when he guarded Mobley.
• He began working on floaters with assistant coach Ivo Simović only four to five weeks ago.
• During the regular season, he played 57 games, averaging 8.5 points and 5 rebounds.
• Murray-Boyles shot 34% from three-point range on less than one attempt per game in the regular season; he has not made a three in the playoffs.

Rookie Defies Expectations in High-Stakes Series

Collin Murray-Boyles either did not hear the conversation or did not care. Given how he carries himself, both are equally plausible. The Toronto Raptors rookie has shown no fear against the seasoned Cleveland Cavaliers, becoming an unexpected X-factor in a first-round playoff series tied 2-2 after four games. Listed at 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds, Murray-Boyles possesses a build that belies his age. Teammates RJ Barrett and Jamal Shead compared him to Zion Williamson, noting the same "How can someone so young look like that?" feeling. Barrett and Shead, both from South Carolina like Murray-Boyles, marveled at his sturdiness in a mostly empty locker room after the Raptors tied the series on Sunday.

Production Nearly Doubles in Postseason

Murray-Boyles has averaged 17 points and 7.3 rebounds in 25.5 minutes per game during the playoffs, nearly doubling his regular-season output of 8.5 points and 5 rebounds. He has scored 68 points and grabbed 31 rebounds in the series, becoming the first Raptors rookie to score in double digits in his first four playoff games. His field goal percentage has also risen by 10 percentage points from the regular season. While the sample size is small, these numbers carry weight in a best-of-seven series. The Raptors are likely getting far more than they expected from the 20-year-old, who came off the bench for most of the season.

Defensive Prowess Stifles Cavaliers' Bigs

Murray-Boyles has been a defensive force, particularly against Cleveland's frontcourt. the Cavaliers have scored just 48 points in 70 possessions when he guards Evan Mobley. In Game 4, after replacing Jakob Poeltl midway through the third quarter, Murray-Boyles limited Mobley to just two points for the remainder of the game. He has been strong enough to battle Jarrett Allen on the glass, smart enough to thwart James Harden's playmaking, and nimble enough to switch onto guards. In the final seconds of Game 4, with the Cavaliers trailing by three, Murray-Boyles switched onto Donovan Mitchell, an All-NBA First Team member. Mitchell faked a shot, but Murray-Boyles controlled his reaction, avoided contact, and got his hands up, forcing Mitchell to miss badly.

Offensive Versatility and Rapid Skill Development

While not a floor-spacing threat, Murray-Boyles has found ways to fit around Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Brandon Ingram. He has shown excellent passing vision, including a quick kickout to Ingram after an offensive rebound in Game 4 that proved a crucial basket in the Raptors' comeback. Coach Darko Rajaković revealed that Murray-Boyles began working on floaters with assistant coach Ivo Simović only four to five weeks ago. "The way he's shooting floaters now shows you the talent that he is," Rajaković said. "Talent is not, in my mind, something that God gave you, your physique or athletic abilities. It's your ability to learn and implement what you're working on."

Cavaliers Face Urgent Adjustment

The Cavaliers, the more experienced and higher-seeded team, must now account for Murray-Boyles. His motor and rebounding have been a thorn; Cleveland's bigs must box him out and keep him out of the paint offensively. Murray-Boyles has yet to hit a three in the playoffs, and during the regular season he shot 34% from beyond the arc on less than one attempt per game. Pressuring him into uncomfortable shots could neutralize his impact. "Really just not being afraid of the moment," Murray-Boyles said after Game 3. "(Those are) really good guys we're playing against. This is a really, really good team. (They) have one of my favorite players (James Harden) on that team, so it's just not being scared we're going up against and really just taking it to them."

Outlook: A Three-Game Series with a Rising Star

The series is now a best-of-three, with the Cavaliers knowing they cannot let Murray-Boyles beat them. Toronto has found an identity around its rookie, who has compensated for Jakob Poeltl's back injury and the team's lack of a traditional center. The Raptors will likely spend the next few years expanding Murray-Boyles' shooting range, but for now, his immediate impact is undeniable. Scottie Barnes summed up the team's trust: "He guarded me all preseason and I know how well he guards. We was trusting him right there. We're going to ride with CMB." That sentiment extends beyond this series, as Murray-Boyles has established himself as a cornerstone for Toronto's future.

The bottom line

• Collin Murray-Boyles has nearly doubled his regular-season scoring and rebounding averages in the playoffs, emerging as a key contributor for Toronto.
• His defensive versatility has neutralized Cavaliers bigs Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, holding Mobley to minimal production after switching onto him.
• Murray-Boyles' rapid skill development, including floaters learned only weeks ago, underscores his high learning aptitude praised by coach Darko Rajaković.
• The Cavaliers must adjust their game plan to contain Murray-Boyles, particularly by boxing him out and forcing him to take outside shots.
• The series is now a best-of-three, with Toronto's rookie playing a pivotal role in the Raptors' chances to advance.