Kofi Inkoom
Dennis Schröder played a pivotal role in Toronto’s season opener, scoring 22 points, including four three-pointers, on 8-for-17 shooting.
His impressive performance from beyond the arc was instrumental in Toronto’s hard-fought 97-94 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Notably, this game marked Schröder’s debut as a Toronto Raptor, and he also made his mark with seven assists, contributing to a successful start under the guidance of the team’s new coach, Darko Rajakovic.
Dennis Schroder’s 22 points are the most in a Raptors debut since… Kawhi Leonard (24).
The FIBA WC MVP is on a mission. pic.twitter.com/0bM76288LF
— NBArepublic.com (@nba_republic) October 26, 2023
Supporting Schröder’s impressive performance, OG Anunoby added 20 points, while Scottie Barnes showcased his skills with 17 points and five blocks.
Pascal Siakam chipped in with 15 points, and Jakob Poeltl made his presence felt with seven points and 11 rebounds.
On the opposing side, Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with an impressive double-double, scoring 26 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.
Rudy Gobert contributed 15 points and 13 rebounds, and Karl-Anthony Towns had a strong performance with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Mike Conley and Naz Reid also made valuable contributions, scoring 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The game was tightly contested throughout, with Minnesota holding a one-point lead going into the fourth quarter.
However, Toronto quickly regained control, stretching their lead to six points. The Timberwolves fought back, tying the game, but Schröder’s clutch three-pointer shifted the momentum back in Toronto’s favor.
They held onto the lead, ultimately winning by four points, thanks in part to a crucial defensive play by Anunoby, which set up a dunk by Barnes in the closing seconds.
Dennis Schroder is just too quick! #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/EXcHS2LUvV
— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) October 26, 2023
The game began with a competitive first quarter that ended in a tie at 25 points each.
Minnesota enjoyed a six-point lead during the second quarter, but the Raptors managed to regain the advantage.
Schröder’s three-pointer gave them a 48-41 lead with 4:05 remaining in the first half. They maintained a slim lead, heading into halftime with a score of 53-51 in favor of Toronto.
Edwards was the standout performer for the Timberwolves in the first half, tallying 18 points, while Anunoby led Toronto with 13 first-half points.
In the third quarter, the Raptors extended their lead to 10 points, but the Timberwolves responded with a strong 14-3 run to take a narrow lead of 74-73 by the end of the period.
In terms of the Raptors’ rotation, notable players included Trent and Precious Achiuwa coming off the bench, with Jalen McDaniels and Malachi Flynn following, and Gradey Dick entering last in the first half.
Chris Boucher and Otto Porter Jr. did not feature in Toronto’s top 10 rotations for the game.
It’s worth mentioning that Jakob Poeltl, despite previous plans to utilize him in late-game situations, was not part of the closing lineup for Toronto.
Coach Rajaković had previously expressed his intent to use Poeltl, even with his free throw struggles, but adjustments were made in this game against the Timberwolves.
On the injury front, Jaylen Clark and Jaden McDaniels were sidelined for Minnesota due to injuries, while Christian Koloko did not participate for Toronto due to a respiratory illness.