Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic had 155 reasons to be upset Thursday — well, 156 if you count the official’s no-call on Scottie Barnes’ driving layup attempt in the fourth quarter.
On a night when the Memphis Grizzlies set a new franchise record for points scored in a 155-126 victory, it was Rajakovic’s expletive-laden and ejection-prompting outburst that drew the loudest cheers from the FedEx Forum crowd.
The Grizzlies led 127-103 when the Raptors’ head coach lost his cool — embarking on a screaming tirade toward veteran referee J.T. Orr.
Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic was less than pleased with the officiating in Thursday’s matchup against the Grizzlies. X / ClutchPoints
Referee J.T. Orr winds his arm backwards before tossing the Raptors’ head coach from Thursday’s contest. X / ClutchPointsRajakovic called a timeout and stormed onto the court.
“Call the f–king foul! Call the f–king foul,” he appeared to scream at the referee, as seen in a video of the escapade posted to X by ClutchPoints.
On the play prior, Barnes had driven toward the hoop through contact but no fouls were called.
Grizzlies’ assistants usher the head coach into the locker room after he’s ejected from Thursday night’s game. X / ClutchPointsThe fourth-year Raptor missed his layup attempt and Chris Boucher missed his tip-in.
Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr. promptly grabbed the rebound, the Grizzlies stormed down court and Scotty Pippen Jr. laid the ball up and in to extend the lead to 24, leading to Rajakovic’s timeout and ensuing blow-up.
Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic (middle) is held back by forward Scottie Barnes (4) and guard Ochai Agbaji (30). Petre Thomas-Imagn ImagesRajakovic — who has not always portrayed himself as a ref’s best friend — had to be held back by assistants and players alike.
Orr, now in his 16th year, seemed unfazed. The referee tossed the coach from the game with the calm and collected swing of his pointer finger.
RJ Barrett (9) of the Toronto Raptors drives towards the basket against Brandon Clarke (15) of the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half of their matchup on Thursday evening. Getty ImagesWith the head coach confined to cool off in the locker room, the Raptors continued to bleed points.
Memphis saw all five of its starters — plus three players off the bench — net double-digit points. Zach Edey and Jackson Jr. led the crusade with 21 apiece.
Thursday’s loss was Toronto’s ninth in a row and Rajakovic’s squad is now 7-24 on the season. Only the Washington Wizards and the New Orleans Pelicans have lower winning percentages.
Thus far in 2024, former Knickerbocker R.J. Barrett leads the Raptors in points (23.7) and assists (6.3) per game. Fellow Knicks alum and Toronto teammate Immanuel Quickley has played in only three games due to an elbow injury.
The Raptors’s putrid season continues Sunday versus the Hawks.
