Ja'Kobe Walter Sends Message to Collin Murray-Boyles in Boston Celtics Game

Ja’Kobe Walter and the Toronto Raptors fell 115-101 to the Boston Celtics on Easter Sunday in the TD Garden. Filling in for the injured Immanuel Quickley in the starting lineup, Walter led the team in scoring with 16 points on 4-for-5 shooting from beyond the arc to match two steals and a block. 

The lack of offensive production from the big three is what cost the Raptors the game yesterday. Two-time All-Stars Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram, along with RJ Barrett, combined for just 40 points on 17-for-44 shooting. Despite the struggles from the field, Toronto entered the fourth quarter down just three, but was dominated from then on, something that has happened regularly against the league’s best this season. 

Collin Murray-Boyles was the other bright spot for the Raptors against Boston. The rookie lottery pick has begun to find his rhythm offensively after a string of injuries, and yesterday he contributed 12 points, five rebounds, five assists, a block, and a steal off the bench. He sat out for 11 straight games due to a left thumb sprain, then missed a game with back spasms to end March, and in his last four games since returning, he has averaged 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game on 65% shooting (via StatMuse). 

After the loss, Walter commented on the rookie’s recent aggression and how he has gotten more effective on the offensive end. 

“We started telling him early, he started kind of looking away from the basket early when he was by the basket,” said Walter. “We just told him, ‘Be aggressive.’ We know he’s got a good touch around the rim. I think it’s all just slowing down for him. I think his defense really gets him going offensively. We continue to find him; he continues to deliver. Just got to stay aggressive.”

The former South Carolina Gamecock has thrived as a defender this season with his pressure and versatility. Being able to guard both on the perimeter and the interior has given him more opportunities on the floor, but his lack of offensive prowess has limited him in his first year in the NBA. This recent addition of paint scoring for the Raptors’ offense has proven to be effective, if it can be complemented by consistent scoring from the team’s leaders. 

Walter and Murray-Boyles are proving to be key pieces for the future of this franchise in their first years in the league. While the team may be stuck in the middle of the pack this season, their continued progression and development may prove to produce championship-caliber basketball if general manager Bobby Webster can build the proper roster around them and Barnes.