In a much-needed spark for the Toronto Raptors, Gradey Dick delivered the kind of performance that fans and coaches alike have been waiting to see. In the Raptors’ 115-101 win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, the rookie guard posted his first career double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds - a breakout showing that couldn’t have come at a better time.
Toronto was down to just 10 active players, and with the rotation stretched thin, Dick seized the opportunity. He logged a season-high 30 minutes, and more importantly, he played like he belonged out there.
There was a noticeable shift in his confidence - not just in how he moved, but in how he asserted himself within the flow of the offense. This wasn’t the tentative Gradey Dick we saw earlier in the season.
This was a player stepping into his moment.
And let’s be honest - it hasn’t been the smoothest rookie campaign so far. Dick’s shooting from deep, the skill that made him such a tantalizing prospect, has been inconsistent.
He’s hitting just 30.1% from beyond the arc, which has limited his impact in a league that feeds off perimeter shooting. But what stood out against Indiana was how he adapted.
He didn’t force his shot. Instead, he found other ways to contribute - and that’s a sign of growth.
One of the biggest changes? His role in the offense.
Dick was far more involved as a screener, particularly in actions with Scottie Barnes. That partnership paid off - 14 of Dick’s 21 points came directly off assists from Barnes.
It’s a subtle but significant development. Rather than waiting for spot-up threes to come his way, Dick was actively creating opportunities through movement and smart positioning.
That kind of chemistry with Barnes is something the Raptors will want to build on.
Then there’s the rebounding. Dick pulled down a career-high 11 boards, and they weren’t just empty stats.
With Toronto lacking size in the frontcourt, every rebound mattered. He helped extend possessions on offense and closed them out on defense.
It was the kind of gritty, all-hands-on-deck effort that speaks volumes about a player’s commitment to doing the little things - especially when the shot isn’t falling.
After the game, Raptors assistant coach Rico Hines (filling in for head coach Darko Rajaković) was asked about Dick’s performance by Kayla Grey. His response said it all:
“I seen him being himself, there’s a lot of stuff that I saw last year while watching his film, but you gotta credit the work. He never put his head down, he was the first one in the gym this morning and it showed.”
That kind of praise doesn’t come lightly. It tells you that Dick’s effort hasn’t gone unnoticed behind the scenes - and now it’s translating onto the court.
The next step for Dick is obvious: find his rhythm from three. That’s the swing skill that could unlock his full offensive potential.
But even if the shot takes time to come around, Wednesday night showed that he’s capable of impacting games in other ways. And for a young player trying to carve out a role on a rebuilding team, that’s a crucial development.
This wasn’t just a good game - it was a statement. Gradey Dick isn’t just waiting for his shot to fall. He’s figuring out how to help his team win right now.