Murray-Boyles has been shining in his rookie season, but this announcement may have a damper on his production.
The Toronto Raptors have just one game left before NBA All-Star Weekend, coming Wednesday against the top-seed in the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons. Toronto finds itself sitting in fifth place in the East, yet just 2.5 games out of the second seed.
All-Star Weekend is set to be a full slate for Raptors fans. Collin-Murray Boyles and Alijah Martin will be showcased in the Rising Stars Game on Friday, Scottie Barnes will compete in the Shooting Stars Competition on Saturday, and Barnes will be joined by Brandon Ingram in the All-Star Game on Sunday, with head coach Darko Rajakovic also coaching Team World.
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) | © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Murray-Boyles has had a quiet but effective first half to his rookie season. In about 22 minutes a game, the former No. 9 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft has averaged only 7.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game on 55.3% shooting. His defense has been what’s allowed him to shine, specifically his ability to protect the rim while still holding his own against high-level wings on the perimeter.
Something that has allowed the rookie to showcase his skillset has been the injury to Raptors starting center Jakob Poeltl. The Austrian big man has been out for the last 24 games with a lower back strain, and Murray-Boyles has been the primary replacement, as he has started in 19 games during his different absences this season.
Ahead of the matchup with the Detroit Pistons, the injury report shows good news for the Raptors, but not the shining rookie.
In the official NBA injury report, Toronto has listed Jakob Poeltl as questionable due to return-to-play reconditioning, while Murray-Boyles is out after reaggravating his thumb contusion in the first quarter of Sunday’s win against the Indiana Pacers. For the Pistons, it was announced that both Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren will be suspended for multiple games after an on-court brawl with Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets.
His thumb injury isn’t expected to affect him long-term, but the Raptors want to take a conservative approach with a playoff spot on the line in the coming months. As far as Poeltl’s inevitable return, he will be taking his spot back as the team’s starting center, which will move the rookie back to the bench when he does return.
His role is to be determined, as it would be unusual for the Raptors to just strip a rookie lottery pick’s minutes after strong play. However, coming off the bench may allow him to showcase his offensive ability, especially when playing from the wing, alongside Jamal Shead, Gradey Dick, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Sandro Mamukelashvilli.
Toronto Raptors forward/center Collin Murray-Boyles (12) | © Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
One thing statistically that has set the former South Carolina Gamecock apart from the field is his stocks. Through 43 games, Murray-Boyles has averaged 0.9 blocks and 0.9 steals. If he is able to increase those numbers to one each, he would be the only rookie to do so in a minimum of 30 games played since 2016, outside of Victor Wembanyama in 2024. He would also be just the fifth rookie since 2003, including Nerlens Noel, Anthony Davis, and Jamario Moon (via StatMuse).