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.
Rajakovic 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.
The 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.
Rajakovic — 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.
With 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.
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