The Toronto Raptors are wrapping up a week that’s felt more like a reunion tour than a regular season stretch - and it’s ending with a familiar face who once delivered the franchise its greatest moment.
After matchups against the 76ers and Pacers - featuring Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam, two pillars of the Raptors’ past - Toronto now welcomes Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers to Scotiabank Arena. Leonard, still the only Finals MVP in Raptors history, returns to the building where he etched his name into franchise lore. But nostalgia aside, this game has real implications for both teams.
The Clippers may not have the flashiest record at 17-23, but don’t let that fool you - they’re trending in the right direction. They’ve won four straight and 11 of their last 13, steadily climbing the Western Conference standings.
The Raptors, meanwhile, sit just a game out of second place in the East, despite being down several key players. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. on Sportsnet, and there’s plenty to watch for in this one.
Gradey Dick Steps Into the Spotlight
With the Raptors missing a handful of rotation players - Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Ja’Kobe Walter all out, and Jamison Battle exiting mid-game - Gradey Dick got a bigger slice of the pie on Wednesday night. And he made the most of it.
Despite a cold night from deep (1-for-5 from three), Dick turned in arguably his most complete performance of the season. He dropped 21 points, pulled down 11 boards, and dished out three assists on 9-of-15 shooting in 30 minutes - good for his first career double-double. That effort earned him the team’s postgame chain, and more importantly, a viral locker room photo of the entire squad hitting the Gradey Dick flex.
Tonight, with the roster still thinned out, Dick will get another chance to build on that momentum. His recent success has come from attacking the rim with confidence and showing growth as a roller - not just a spot-up shooter.
The next step? Finding his rhythm from distance again.
If he does, the Raptors might have something brewing in their young wing.
Kawhi’s Still Kawhi
It’s been six years since Kawhi Leonard led the Raptors to a title, but his game hasn’t aged a bit. Over the Clippers’ last 13 contests, Leonard has been nothing short of dominant, averaging 32.7 points per game and even dropping a 55-piece on the first-place Pistons.
He’s the driving force behind L.A.'s recent surge, and tonight, Toronto will have its hands full trying to contain him. Expect Scottie Barnes to take on the primary assignment, but don’t be surprised if Ochai Agbaji and rookie Collin Murray-Boyles get their turns too. Slowing down Leonard is never a one-man job - it’s going to take a collective effort, especially with the Raptors missing key defenders.
The Injury Bug Bites Hard
Toronto’s injury report reads more like a rotation sheet right now. Barrett, Walter, and Jakob Poeltl are all out.
Battle is doubtful with an ankle issue. Quickley and Sandro Mamukelashvili are questionable.
That’s a lot of firepower on the shelf.
In the meantime, it’s up to guys like Barnes and Brandon Ingram to keep the offense afloat. Both have been carrying the load during this stretch, and while All-Star voting is now closed, performances like these still matter when it comes to league-wide perception.
Depth will be tested again tonight. Agbaji and A.J.
Lawson are likely to see extended minutes, and the “next man up” mentality will be in full effect. But the biggest silver lining in all this?
The emergence of Collin Murray-Boyles.
CMB Rising
With Poeltl out, the rookie big has stepped into the spotlight - and he’s not just holding his own, he’s thriving. Over his last six games, Murray-Boyles is averaging 11.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while shooting an efficient 57% from the field. His defensive instincts have been eye-popping - he ranks in the 99th percentile league-wide in deflections - and he’s starting to show flashes of offensive polish that suggest there’s a lot more to come.
He’s not just filling in - he’s making a case to stay in the rotation even when the Raptors get healthy. Tonight’s matchup against a veteran Clippers frontcourt will be another strong test for the rookie, and another chance for him to show he belongs.
Between Kawhi’s return, Gradey Dick’s breakout, and the continued evolution of Collin Murray-Boyles, there’s no shortage of intrigue heading into tonight’s game. The Raptors may be short-handed, but they’re scrappy - and with the Clippers heating up, this one has all the makings of a compelling clash at Scotiabank Arena.