As the Raptors remained without Summer League roster headliners Collin Murray-Boyles and Alijah Martin on Monday, and Chucky Hepburn missed his first game in Las Vegas with knee soreness, the Raptors’ other marquee player — 19th overall selection Allen Graves — remained as advertised.
In the first quarter, Nate Bittle missed a 3, and Graves desperately dove for the offensive rebound the way a keeper dives to stop a goal in footy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player attack offensive rebounds in quite the same way Graves does. He offensively rebounds like he’s diving on the floor for a loose ball — something he also does plenty of. He goes after the ball with an unbridled fervour that is truly exemplary. A model of hustle. He didn’t even get credit for that rebound, as he tipped the ball forward and Nimari Burnett scooped it up before getting fouled and cashing the two-for-one free throw.
The Raptors were clearly inspired, as they started on a 24-6 run. Seth Lundy was a bucket, Jaden Bradley had his best offensive quarter of Summer League so far — though he still looked hesitant at times — and the Raptors 905 contingent were running the place like it was the Paramount Fine Foods Centre. AJ Hoggard scored cutting to the basket on a SLOB due to lacklustre Pacer defence. Hoggard canned a 3 and then later grabbed a steal and hit Tyreke Key for a fastbreak layup.
But the Pacers started making triples and working their way back into the game. Taelon Peter drained a 3 to cut the score to single digits near the start of the second quarter — he also drove for a big dunk off an Oklahoma action. Bittle played deny defence on Pacers big Alex Reese, but he back-cut to the basket straight down the gut. Rienk Mast and Yuki Kawamura also got their game off — triples and crafty drives, respectively, as the Raptors defence softened. Reigning G League defensive player of the year Jamarion Sharp showed how a seven-foot-five centre that averaged four blocks stays in the G League. He was a step slow on everything, in his movement and reaction time. The game was tied 45-45 at half.
Malik Thomas spun inside, hit Sharp in the short corner, who dished to Key. He drove the ensuing closeout for a smooth reverse. After, Key 45 cut hard on a five-out delay set, Bittle threaded him a pass, and Key threw down a big dunk. Ball movement’s been a staple for the Raptors in recent seasons, and it was at Summer League on Monday. But Mast kept shooting the leather off the ball, and he, Gabe McGlothan and Jalen Slawson’s outside shooting and overall scoring punch kept the Pacers level.
Graves sank a pair of triples in the fourth quarter — he went 3-for-5 in the game and is now 7-for-16 in Summer League. His shot has looked steady and simple enough to believe in. Lundy, a former second-round pick of the Atlanta Hawks in 2023, also popped off for a second straight game, scoring 22 points and cashing 4-of-7 triples.
Slawson’s athleticism and effort were big difference-makers. In a game where Graves was lunging all over the place for steals, Slawson responded with myriad putbacks, heavy dunks and chase-down blocks. The Raptors were stuck five with a couple of minutes remaining. Normally a player like Graves — a first-round pick — wouldn’t have been in a Summer League game in this situation. He’d subbed out with 3:57 remaining, seemingly for the game. But he reentered and deflected a pocket pass to the roller for a steal. A few missed open 3s by the Pacers and Jaden Bradley free throws later, and the Raptors had a one-point lead on the final possession. The ball found Mast at the top of the key, Lundy anticipated the shot attempt, and an emphatic block ended the game. The Raptors move to 2-1 in Summer League with a fun win.
And more, Graves is showing plenty of promise. The hustle and defensive event creation are off the charts; his shot looks clean, and on Monday, the passing popped, too. Toronto shorted the pick n’ roll at one point, and Graves made an on-the-money pocket pass to Bittle from the corner. Win, check. Development, check. Summer League is going swimmingly so far for these Raptors.
