Rajakovic: Raptors lacked effort in blowout vs. Spurs

Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic expressed his displeasure with his team's performance in Monday's 122-99 blowout loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

"That was a lack of effort," Rajakovic said postgame, according to The Toronto Star. "That was lack of intensity. That was lack of focus. All of that from the start of the game."

He added, "You can have an off night with your shooting, but your effort and your defense, rebounding, playing with pride has to be there every night."

The Raptors committed 19 turnovers and allowed the Spurs to score 32 points off them. Toronto also conceded 70 points in the paint.

Spurs rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama put on a spectacle, dropping 27 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 blocks in the win - the first triple-double that includes blocks since Clint Capela did so in 2021.

Rajakovic also took issue with Scottie Barnes' performance, as the All-Star forward recorded just seven points on 3-of-15 shooting from the field along with nine rebounds, nine assists, and five turnovers.

"That was not the standard that we expect," Rajakovic said, according to TSN's Josh Lewenberg.

Barnes was captured leaving the bench before the contest ended.

"Definitely a learning opportunity for all the players on the team from young guys to the vets. ... This is not the competitive spirit we want," Rajakovic said, according to Sportsnet's Michael Grange.

With the loss, the Raptors fell to 19-35 on the season. They host former franchise centerpiece Pascal Siakam on Wednesday in his first game back at Scotiabank Arena since being traded to the Indiana Pacers in January.