Raptors Fall in Summer League Semifinals Despite Rally

Kings Outlast Toronto in Tight Contest

The Raptors’ promising Summer League run concluded in the semifinals with a narrow 98-88 defeat against the Sacramento Kings, ending their quest for a championship after a dominant undefeated streak.

Late Surge Falls Short

After trailing by as many as 22 points in the third quarter, Toronto mounted an impressive 32-11 surge, narrowing the deficit to a single point in the fourth quarter. Despite the valiant comeback attempt, the Kings ultimately held on for the victory.

Shead Shines in Defeat

Guard Jamal Shead spearheaded the Raptors’ effort, recording a double-double with 24 points and 12 assists. Shead consistently attacked the paint with quick drives, showcasing his scoring ability, and also contributed a crucial three-pointer that brought his team within one point during the final frame.

Supporting contributions came from Ja’Kobe Walter, who added 19 points on 5-of-12 shooting, and Jamison Battle and Alijah Martin, who each chipped in 10 points.

Kings’ Jones Dominates Scoring

For the Kings, Isaac Jones delivered a game-high 36 points. Jones, who joined Sacramento as an undrafted free agent in 2024, proved to be a formidable offensive force throughout the matchup.

Defensively, Walter and Martin each secured three steals, contributing to the Raptors’ 12 total. This defensive output, however, fell below their Summer League average of 14.8 steals per game in the preceding contests.

The Kings’ ball security was evident, committing only 19 turnovers, the fewest recorded by any of Toronto’s opponents in the tournament. This contrasted sharply with the Raptors’ previous success in forcing turnovers, having generated 117 opponent turnovers for 135 points in their first four games.

Foul Trouble and Ejection Plague Raptors

Compounding the Raptors’ challenges, key player A.J. Lawson, who led the team in scoring during the Summer League with 18.5 points per game, was sidelined due to a hip strain.

Toronto’s tendency for fouls continued, as they averaged a Summer League-high 29 fouls coming into the semifinals. The playoff rule change, reducing the foul limit from 10 to the standard six, proved detrimental, leading to disqualifications for two starters, Walter and Ulrich Chomche, and one bench player, Chucky Hepburn. The team accumulated 32 fouls in total.

In the closing moments, Raptors’ Summer League head coach James Wade was ejected for his vocal displeasure with the officiating.

Milestone Appearance for Raptors

This semifinal appearance marked the Raptors’ first foray into the Summer League playoffs since 2018. The squad featured a blend of returning players and promising prospects, including six who were part of Toronto’s rotation last season: Shead, Walter, Battle, Lawson, Jonathan Mogbo, and Colin Castleton, alongside 2025 draft prospects Collin Murray-Boyles and Martin.

NBA Summer League play often serves as a crucial developmental ground. For instance, in the 2023 NBA Summer League, rookie Jalen Duren showcased his developing skills for the Detroit Pistons, averaging 14.7 points and 7.0 rebounds, demonstrating the platform’s value for emerging talent (ESPN 2023).