What Collin Murray-Boyles Said After Breaking Raptors Playoff Record

Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles delivered a historic 22-point performance in Game 3. See how the South Carolina product fueled a dominant Toronto Raptors victory.

Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles dunks against the Cleveland Cavaliers. | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

It took only 28 minutes for the Scotiabank Arena crowd to find its new playoff hero. In a critical Game 3 on Thursday, Toronto Raptors rookie Collin Murray-Boyles delivered a historic performance, scoring 22 points to lead the team to a 126-104 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The feat doesn’t just help narrow the series deficit to 2-1, it etches Murray-Boyles into the franchise record books as the highest-scoring Raptors rookie in a playoff game, surpassing the previous mark set by his teammate Scottie Barnes in 2022.

Breaking Down the Record-Setting Night

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley drives to the basket against Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles. | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

While Barnes and RJ Barrett both poured in high-octane performances with 33 points apiece, it was the efficiency from the bench that changed the game's complexion. Murray-Boyles wasn't just a role player, but also an offensive engine.

• Murray-Boyles scored 22 points, while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out two assists. He also had a block and a steal on the defensive end.
• Murray-Boyles was also very efficient, making 11-of-15 shots from the field, good for 73.3 percent.
• During the six-minute stretch in the fourth quarter where the Raptors took over the game, Murray-Boyles fueled a momentum-swinging run that put the game out of reach.

Following the game, Murray-Boyles remained grounded despite the history-making night.

"Feel the same as before the game," Murray-Boyles said. "It doesn't really matter to me. I gotta do what I gotta do to help the team win the game.

Kawhi Leonard would be so proud of Collin Murray-Boyles' answer to this question... pic.twitter.com/csNMHwOxIg

— Pensare Basketball (@PensareBBall) April 24, 2026

Murray-Boyles Stepping Up in Playoffs

To understand the weight of this performance, one must look at Murray-Boyles' trajectory. Critics initially questioned his ability to score against NBA centres due to being slightly undersized at 6-7, but his performances from the last three games tell a different story.

Metric	Season Averages	Game 3 vs. Cavaliers
Points	8.5	22
Rebounds	5.0	8
Field Goal Percentage	57.9	73.3
Plus/Minus	+0.8	+21

His ability to scale his production in the high-pressure environment of the playoffs is a testament to his high basketball IQ.

Tactical Insight: How He Did It

Murray-Boyles dominated the paint by finding gaps in the Cavaliers' defense that weren't visible in Games 1 and 2.

• While Cleveland attempted to switch Jarrett Allen off him, Murray-Boyles used his lower-body strength to hold his ground and score over former Defensive Player of the Year finalist Evan Mobley.
• Murray-Boyles secured five offensive rebounds, creating second-chance opportunities that demoralized the Cavs' frontline.
• His impact in the paint opened up the perimeter for the Raptors' shooters, who capitalized on the space he created.

What’s Next for the Raptors?

With Game 4 scheduled for Sunday afternoon in Toronto, the Raptors have found a blueprint for success. Murray-Boyles' emergence has forced a drastic shake-up in the playoff rotation, potentially moving him into a more prominent role over veteran Jakob Poeltl even if he continues to come off the bench.