Raptors Face Intense Schedule, No Excuses from Coach Rajakovic

UPDATE: The Toronto Raptors are gearing up for a grueling schedule, with six games in just nine days, and Coach Darko Rajakovic is making it clear: there are no excuses for fatigue. After suffering back-to-back losses to the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks, the Raptors managed a victory against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, only to lose narrowly to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, 123-120.

Rajakovic emphasized the urgency of the situation after the Lakers game, stating, “This is the NBA. There is no place for fatigue.” The Raptors are set to face the Hornets again on Friday, followed by a clash with the Boston Celtics on Sunday.

With this being the fourth back-to-back situation for the Raptors this season, their current record stands at 3-4 in these challenging matchups. Rajakovic shared insights from his early coaching days in North America, revealing advice from then-general manager Paul Rivers of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s G-League team. “When you look at a schedule, don’t try to make any common sense out of it,” Rajakovic recalled.

His focus remains on one game at a time, particularly during this intense stretch. “When you play five games in seven nights, you really try to emphasize recovery with players,” he added. Preventive medicine has been vital, especially for starting center Jakob Poeltl, who has been strategically rested during back-to-back games.

Rajakovic confirmed that Poeltl opted to play against the Hornets instead of the Lakers, prioritizing his recovery. “Hopefully over the next couple of weeks he can get there, to play both of the games,” he stated. With the team’s quick turnaround and the pressure on players to perform, all eyes will be on the Raptors as they look to bounce back during this demanding schedule.

Fans and analysts alike are keenly watching how the Raptors will cope, as they prepare for what promises to be a pivotal weekend. Stay tuned for updates as the action unfolds!