TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 4: Collin Murray-Boyles #12 of the Toronto Raptors dunks against Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 4, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)Getty ImagesAs he stood by his locker, Toronto Raptors rookie forward Collin Murray-Boyles stared at the wrap around his left thumb.Murray-Boyles called it “annoying” to deal with an injury that affected him in various ways.

He stayed sidelined for 11 consecutive games from mid-February to mid-March. He conceded he felt limited since returning last month. Yet, Murray-Boyles never complained about any pain that he feels.

Instead, Murray-Boyles spoke in a matter-of-fact tone on how long he will have to keep wearing a wrap. “It’ll probably be the rest of the season,” Murray-Boyles said in a recent one-on-one interview. Murray-Boyles doesn’t represent the latest example of the league’s load-management problem.

Nor is Murray-Boyles a hyped prospect that hit a rookie wall amid more demanding games, practices and travel. Instead of complaining to Raptors coach Darko Rajaković and teammates about his injury, Murray-Boyles has forced himself to ignore the inconveniences. “I know the team needs me,” Murray-Boyles said.

“I know I’m a big part of what Darko needs with the energy that I bring, the defensive intensity and being a playmaker in our offense. I’m trying to get back into the flow of our game and how we play. I’m just trying to impact it.” The Raptors (46-36) enter their NBA playoff first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30) on Saturday (1 pm ET) as a No. 5 seed mostly because Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes have produced at All-Star caliber levels.

But the Raptors also view Murray-Boyles as an X factor. Plenty of focus on this year’s NBA rookie class centers on Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg and Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel. But after the Raptors drafted Murray-Boyles at No. 9 following two years in South Carolina, he could make an NBA All-Rookie team after averaging 8.5 points on 57.9% shooting and 5.0 rebounds per game as mostly a reserve (57 games).

Murray-Boyles has also started in 22 games either to fill in for an injured Jakob Poeltl or for matchup purposes. Rajaković said he has become “really, really pleased with Murray-Boyles’ development” with his rebounding, screen-setting and finishing in pick-and-rolls. The Raptors have also become impressed with Murray-Boyles’ physically-imposing defense, improved shooting and maturity.“I don’t even focus on that,” Murray-Boyles said about making an NBA All-Rookie team.

“It’s nice if people see what I’m doing and get recognized and shed some light. But I’m focused on the team. I could care less about self-accolades.

It’s nice on the résumé. But I don’t really give a damn about the résumé, except for winning as many games and as many championships as possible.”TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 5: Collin Murray-Boyles #12 of the Toronto Raptors drives to the net against Jalen Smith #25 of the Chicago Bulls during the first half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 5, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)Getty ImagesHow Murray-Boyles has managed his injuryThat explains Murray-Boyles’ determination to keep playing through his injury.

“He’s not a soft guy at all. His thumb has been hurt damn near the whole season,” Raptors veteran guard Garrett Temple said in a one-on-one interview. “He’s continued to have the mindset, ‘It’s not going to heal.

So keep playing. I’ll let it heal in the summertime.’”Technically, Murray-Boyles healed his injury enough to miss only 11 games and return on March 23. He has played in 12 of the past 14 games since then.

He hasn’t healed his injury enough, however, without the ailment affecting his game. Murray-Boyles conceded he often feels the sting when he matches up against brute big men. Murray also shared he often senses the wrap disrupting his shooting stroke.

Since his return from injury, however, Murray-Boyles has still averaged 11.8 points on 66.2% shooting and 5.2 rebounds per game. “I’m trying to get back being comfortable with it like it used to be without the thumb injury,” Murray-Boyles said. “I just want to be confident with how I was.

It’s been a challenge, for sure, in a lot of aspects. But I’m trying to work through it and still trying to adapt and move on from it.”Murray-Boyles has impressed Toronto with his adaptability. Though he dislikes wearing the wrap around his left thumb, Murray-Boyles