Toronto newcomer Jamison Battle was warmly applauded by the Raptors fans remaining at the Scotiabank Arena this past Friday, after he was disqualified for accruing too many fouls in less than 15 minutes of gameplay. This applause wasn’t a cynical response, but a show of appreciation for what Battle and a Raptors bench featuring three other rookies had achieved in their 115-107 victory against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Battle contributed 12 points and six rebounds before his sixth foul led to his exit from the game. The ovation, he said, felt good as it showed he could make a valuable contribution to a team win, which was his main concern. He was keen on doing whatever he could to ensure the Raptors’ victory.
Due to multiple injuries, Battle and the rest of the Toronto reserves were required to support a significantly thinned rotation. Head coach Darko Rajakovic announced before the game that point guard Immanuel Quickley would miss the game due to a right pelvic contusion. Quickley joined a list of inactive players including RJ Barrett, Kelly Olynyk, Bruce Brown, and Ja’Kobe Walter.
The game also saw a high number of personal fouls, with the referees dismissing the starters of both teams. The Raptors and the 76ers scored more free throws than field goals, with Toronto achieving an 84.8 percent success rate from the free-throw line and Philadelphia 75.5 percent.
Starters Jakob Poeltl, Gradey Dick, and Davion Mitchell also faced foul trouble while trying to suppress the Sixers’ offense. However, Toronto’s bench players stepped up in their absence, outscoring Philadelphia’s reserves 41-19.
Battle, who was participating in his second NBA game, emphasized the importance of teamwork. Even though they might not be the most skilled players, their collective effort could make them a formidable team.
Battle’s sentiments were echoed by Jonathan Mogbo, one of Toronto’s four picks from the NBA Draft, who stated that all bench players were prepared for their names to be called. Rajakovic also praised his team’s unity and readiness to step in when required.
Despite the 76ers’ close competition, many fans began to leave the arena early due to the impending closure of the Gardiner Expressway for construction, an hour after the game. This report was first published by The Canadian Press on October 25, 2024.
