Alijah Martin's Breakout Fuels Raptors' Win Over Bucks
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
With three starters sidelined, Martin's career-high performance provides a blueprint for Toronto's depth during NBA Cup play.
The Toronto Raptors secured a 121-107 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, as Sportsnet first reported. The win improved Toronto's season record to 5-4 and their NBA Cup standing to 1-1. According to Sportsnet, the victory was a critical result for a team attempting to compete for an Eastern Conference playoff spot, particularly as the reconstructed Bucks entered the game with only one win on the season.
Toronto faced significant personnel challenges heading into the matchup at Fiserv Forum. The Raptors were without Scottie Barnes, who is dealing with a left adductor strain, Immanuel Quickley, sidelined by a right hamstring injury, and Kawhi Leonard, who is nursing a knee injury. Despite missing these key contributors, the Raptors relied on a balanced team effort to outlast Milwaukee.
Central to the victory was Alijah Martin, a 24-year-old guard selected 39th overall in 2025. After spending last season on a two-way contract and undergoing off-season knee surgery, Martin's opportunities had been limited. However, Sportsnet reports that Martin capitalized on his minutes Friday, recording a career-high 27 points on 9-of-11 shooting, including 6-of-7 from beyond the arc. Martin's offensive surge was aided by Jamal Shead, who recorded 10 points and a career-high 16 assists in his first start of the season.
Beyond the scoring, Martin contributed defensively by pressuring Bucks leading scorer Tyler Herro, who had 23 points and 10 assists, and rookie Brayden Burries, who finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Other key contributions came from RJ Barrett, who led the team with 27 points, Jakob Poeltl, who added a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double, and Collin Murray-Boyles, who contributed 19 points and four steals.
Toronto overcame a slow start, trailing by as many as 13 points in the first quarter and entering halftime down 60-51. The Raptors shifted momentum in a dominant third quarter, shooting 62 percent from the floor and recording nine assists on 15 field goals. They held the Bucks to 47 total points in the second half, a notable defensive improvement for a team that had recently ranked 29th in the NBA in points allowed per 100 possessions over a four-game span.
Head coach Darko Rajakovic described the victory as a "huge cultural win," citing the resilience of the roster in the face of injuries and early struggles. The Bucks, who have struggled since two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo departed for the Miami Heat, fell to 1-8 on the season.