The Toronto Raptors are learning more about themselves. That’s important because with the season officially reaching the halfway point, there remains a litany of questions about who this team is and what
they’re capable of.
When the NBA released its schedule, this particular week always stood out with dramatic potential for the Raptors. This team is perfectly suited for the therapeutic mise-en-scène of confronting past demons in the effort to discover one’s potential. There’s something grand about centring the past to find out whether or not an organization is finally ready to evolve and move forward.
The Raptors take the next step in their journey of self-discovery when they play the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on TSN.
After the Raptors split an emotional two-game set against Kyle Lowry and Nick Nurse, and before they can set their sights on Kawhi Leonard on Friday, the team must prepare for Pascal Siakam and the Pacers. Despite living at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, the Pacers currently feel great about themselves because of a three-game winning streak.
Here are three more storylines to consider ahead of the matchup.
Spare parts
Unfortunately for the Raptors, Jakob Poeltl and RJ Barrett’s names have become staples on this year’s injury reports. The team has done a sterling job of keeping their head above water during their absences.
But Toronto’s next-man-up mentality may finally be pushed to its limit. Ja’Kobe Walter is out with a right hip pointer and Sandro Mamukelashvili is questionable due to an illness.
While Walter is struggling with consistency, the 21-year-old is still the team’s best three-point shooter at 36.7 per cent. Only Jamison Battle (44.7 per cent) and A.J Lawson (40.0 per cent) are more efficient, but they don’t play enough meaningful minutes to crack the rotation.
Mamukelashvili continues to show why he might be the greatest free agent signing in Raptors history. His only missed game was back on Nov. 11 against the Brooklyn Nets. If Mamukelashvili isn’t able to go against the Pacers, expect rookie Collin Murray-Boyles to play an even larger role. The Pacers don’t present the type of threat at the five spot like the Philadelphia 76ers do, but Murray-Boyles’ productivity goes a long way in preserving Scottie Barnes’ longevity this year.
With increased responsibility, Murray-Boyles is averaging 10.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game in January.
Keep pace
The Pacers were unfairly indoctrinated into the ‘finals hangover’ club. Not only did they lose their engine in Tyrese Haliburton, but they also dealt with a plethora of injuries to other players. Obi Toppin hasn’t played since a foot injury he suffered on Oct. 26. Isaiah Jackson hasn’t suited up in 2026 due to a concussion. Meanwhile, Benedict Maturin is a game-time decision because of a thumb injury.
Significant pieces to the Pacers’ rotation have also missed time throughout the first half of the season, including Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, T.J. McConnell, and Ben Sheppard.
But Indiana is whole again, or at least closer than ever, and the renewed vigour inside the locker room is translating to on-court success.
It starts with Siakam, who is averaging 23.5 points on 51.3 per cent (season-high) during six games in January. The former Raptor has his confidence back, a potential byproduct of the team’s reinforcements inching the team closer to something more reminiscent of last year’s Pacer squad.
An unexpected twist in the Pacers’ upside-down season has been the emergence, downward spiral, and then re-emergence of Jay Huff. After being traded to the Pacers in the off-season, the big man is now on his fifth team in five seasons. While that’s typically a red flag for someone who entered the league as an older rookie, Huff is experiencing his best season as a professional.
Huff is third in the league in blocks at 2.1 per game. It’s a massive leap considering Huff has never averaged one block a game. He’s also averaging a career-high in three-pointers made (1.4) and rebounds (3.7) in 20.0 minutes of action.
Something new
The Raptors began the season realizing they needed a significant source of scoring and hustle off the bench. A golden opportunity was subsequently placed in front of the trio of Walter, Ochai Agbaji, and Gradey Dick.
While there’s something valid about the challenges that come with playing off the bench, particularly with a small runway for mistakes, Raptors fans can’t help but be disappointed by the returns. Each of the three has shown promising moments in past seasons, specifically when granted extended playing time, but their lack of consistency has forced head coach Darko Rajakovic’s hand.
Rajakovic’s latest decision has paved the way for Alijah Martin. The second-round rookie is averaging 7.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks in 18.6 minutes over the last three contests. Martin isn’t necessarily scorching the earth during this stretch (he’s shooting 33.3 per cent from the field and 10.0 per cent from three) but there’s an undeniable swagger to his game. His G-League numbers suggest that his current efficiency isn’t indicative of his skill set. In 14 games with the dominant Raptors 905, Martin is averaging 18.7 points on 49.7 per cent, while clocking in at 41.8 per cent from the perimeter.
