Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic had 155 causes to be upset Thursday — properly, 156 for those who rely the official’s failure to name Scottie Barnes’ layup try on the fourth quarter.
On an evening when the Memphis Grizzlies set a brand new franchise document for factors scored in a 155-126 victory, it was Rajakovic’s expletive-laden, ejection-laden outburst that drew the loudest cheers loud noises from the FedEx Discussion board crowd.
The Grizzlies had been main 127-103 when the Raptors head coach misplaced his cool – launching right into a screaming tirade towards veteran referee JT Orr.
Rajakovic known as a timeout and burst onto the court docket.
“Name the rattling king foul!” Name the f***ing foul,” he appeared to yell on the referee, video of the escapade reveals. posted on X by ClutchPoints.
On the earlier play, Barnes drove to the ring via contact, however no foul was known as.
The fourth-year Raptor missed his layup try and Chris Boucher missed his tip-in.
Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr. shortly grabbed the rebound, the Grizzlies stormed the court docket and Scotty Pippen Jr. laid down the ball to increase the result in 24, resulting in Rajakovic’s timeout and the explosion that adopted.
Rajakovic – who didn’t at all times current himself because the referee’s greatest good friend – needed to be remembered by the assistants and the gamers.
Orr, now in his sixteenth 12 months, appeared unfazed. The referee ejected the coach from the match with the calm and picked up motion of his index finger.
Whereas the pinnacle coach was confined to chill off within the locker room, the Raptors continued to bleed factors.
Memphis noticed its 5 starters – plus three gamers off the bench – rating double-digit factors. Zach Edey and Jackson Jr. led the best way with 21 every.
Thursday’s loss was Toronto’s ninth in a row and Rajakovic’s crew is now 7-24 on the season. Solely the Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans have decrease successful percentages.
Thus far in 2024, former Knickerbocker RJ Barrett leads the Raptors in factors (23.7) and assists (6.3) per sport. Former Knicks and Toronto teammate Immanuel Quickley solely performed in three video games because of an elbow damage.
The Raptors’ putrid season continues Sunday in opposition to the Hawks.
