The Toronto Raptors stand on the brink of an NBA playoff return, needing just one victory in their final two regular-season games to clinch a spot.
Coach Darko Rajakovic embraces the pressure, calling the uncertainty "the beauty of the job." A win against the New York Knicks on Friday or the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday will secure Toronto's first playoff appearance in four years. A loss in both would send them to the play-in tournament.
Rajakovic highlighted the significance of fighting for a playoff position for player development and team morale. "This is what we signed up for, and this is very, very exciting for our coaching staff, our team, for the city of Toronto, for our fans," he stated.
The team is managing key injuries, with point guard Immanuel Quickley and centre Collin Murray-Boyles sidelined. Their contributions have been vital, particularly Quickley's impact on spacing and player roles.
Toronto also made a roster move, waiving Tyreke Key to allow for a player conversion to a standard NBA contract, ensuring playoff eligibility.
With several Eastern Conference teams already locked in, the Raptors (45-35) entered Friday in fifth place, ahead of Atlanta on tiebreakers. Miami is set for the play-in, with Philadelphia, Orlando, and Charlotte also in contention.
Backup centre Sandro Mamukelashvili emphasized the team's resilience and unity throughout the season, stating, "We’ve been keeping each other accountable and playing hard. Even though sometimes we have ups and downs, we stay together."