Murray-Boyles Faces Challenging NBA Debut Start
Collin Murray-Boyles made his NBA starting debut for the Toronto Raptors in a challenging match against the Houston Rockets. The game, held on October 29, 2025, ended with a score of 139-121 in favor of Houston. This marked Murray-Boyles’ first start after being drafted ninth overall by Toronto earlier that summer.
Murray-Boyles’ NBA Debut Challenges
At just 20 years old, Murray-Boyles faced an imposing lineup that included NBA stars such as Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun. Standing at six-foot-seven, he was tasked with defending against players over six-foot-ten. Despite the difficult experience, Murray-Boyles noted the importance of playing against such tough competitors.
Game Highlights
- Final Score: Raptors 121, Rockets 139
- Murray-Boyles scored 13 points and recorded 2 assists in 25 minutes of play.
- Jakob Poeltl was ruled out before the game due to lower back stiffness, necessitating Murray-Boyles’ start.
Despite the loss, Murray-Boyles acknowledged the lessons learned. He pointed out the advantage Houston had with multiple players over six-foot-ten, allowing them to dominate the boards and score efficiently in the paint.
Size and Strength Disparity
The Rockets notably out-rebounded the Raptors 53-22 and outscored them 66-36 in the paint. Houston’s bench contributed significantly, scoring 37 points compared to Toronto’s 23.
Murray-Boyles on Adaptability
“Going up against a supersized lineup like this showed us what we need to improve,” Murray-Boyles commented on his experience. He expressed the need for the Raptors to adopt a grittier approach to rebounding and defensive play.
- Murray-Boyles highlighted the physicality of opponents like Steven Adams, noting the challenge of matching their strength.
- He observed a lack of cohesiveness in the Raptors’ unit, which affected their performance on both ends of the court.
Head coach Darko Rajakovic echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for improved energy and cooperation among the players. He noted how injuries forced players to take on new roles, impacting the team’s overall chemistry.
Looking Forward
Murray-Boyles will need to build on this experience as the season progresses. Learning from high-pressure games against formidable opponents is crucial for his development and the success of the Raptors.
