Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic highlighted his team’s resilience after a 103-101 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night at Paycom Center. He credited key plays in the fourth quarter for swinging the outcome.
“Glory to God, right? Thank God. Good win,” Rajakovic said. “With Immanuel with the threes, Scottie with the blocks, just pleased with how the group responded in those clutch moments.”
Rajakovic pointed to offensive adjustments late in the game. “We were able to adapt during the fourth quarter, reading certain matchups and executing offense that allowed Jamal to touch the paint and create plays. We got two huge threes by IQ down the stretch, Scottie’s defense was elite, and Brandon got a great look from the free throw line at the end,” he explained.
Limiting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a focus for Toronto. “This is a championship-level team with Shai, Chet, and talented players all around. We wanted to limit touches for Shai and make it difficult on him while giving a different look to the whole team,” Rajakovic said.
Ja’Kobe Walter returned from injury and contributed defensively. “Ja’Kobe did a great job. He came back after missing several games and found his way as the game went on. He wants to guard the best players, joining Scottie, Jamal, and CMB in that mindset,” Rajakovic noted.
The Raptors coach emphasized learning from each game. “We’re learning every day—player comfort levels, setting better screens, improving communication. Every game is information for us to get better and focus on the big picture,” he said.
Rajakovic also praised Immanuel Quickley’s performance. “He’s probably playing his best basketball season. Tonight he finished with 11 rebounds, taking care of the ball, trusting teammates, and making the right play down the court every time,” he said.
Toronto led 64-60 at halftime and countered Oklahoma’s third-quarter surge. Quickley scored in critical moments, and Scottie Barnes blocked a short jumper by Chet Holmgren to preserve a 101-99 lead late. Jamal Shead missed two free throws with 13 seconds left, but Quickley secured the rebound and was fouled, converting two free throws with 8.2 seconds remaining.
Quickley finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds, RJ Barrett added 14, and Barnes recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 24 points, reaching his 117th consecutive 20-point game, the second-longest streak in NBA history. Lu Dort had a season-high 19 points, while Chet Holmgren added 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The Raptors improved to 29-19, earning their fourth straight win, while the Thunder fell to 37-10. Both teams return to action Tuesday night, with Oklahoma hosting New Orleans and Toronto hosting the New York Knicks.
