The Toronto Raptors looked destined for another loss in their apparent quest to tank against the Washington Wizards, but a furious fourth-quarter comeback led by Malachi Flynn and Aron Baynes, of all people, was capped off by the first signature moment in the Raptors career of Gary Trent Jr.
After an all-time flop from Raul Neto, Trent rose up and connected on a 3-pointer that gave Toronto a 103-101 victory over Washington. This was their second win in April after winning just one game in the entire month of March.
Trent hasn’t had a very long stint with Toronto, but he has made the most of it, averaging just over 21 points per game in his last four contests after a bit of a sluggish start. A restricted free agent at the end of this season, Trent’s price tag appears to be going up with each passing game.
With Trent likely returning as a core piece next year, Raptors fans have quickly embraced the former Duke star.
Twitter loved Gary Trent Jr. winning the game for the Toronto Raptors
Powell might be gone, but Raptors fans appear to have been officially won over by his younger, less expensive replacement.
https://twitter.com/6ixIn6/status/1379243111717634050
In just one week, Trent has set a new career-high for points in a game with 31 and given the Raptors what looks like their best highlight of the year until this point. Safe to say, that’s a dynamite start.
It’s been a week and Gary Trent has a buzzer beater and bested his record for highest point total think he’s prob happy here... let’s keep winning for him and all our injured peeps k ? #WASvsTOR
— Anto Chan (@PunFuMaster) April 6, 2021
Some fans want every kid in Ontario to bear Trent’s name after this incredible display of basketball heroism.
Trent Jr. had a knack for hitting the big shots in Portland, and he’s showing fans he can do the same in Toronto.
GARY TRENT JR GOT ICE IN HIS VEINS #WeTheNorth
— BOOMER (@boomer9383570) April 6, 2021
Trent has been shooting the lights out of late, and his two-week stint as a Raptor has helped him come a few points shy of setting the single-game plus-minus record. Powell is playing very well in Portland, but Trent is really starting to turn things up a notch.
Gary Trent Jr. hasn't even been a Raptor for 2 weeks. He's already had 2 of the 10 highest-scoring games of his career (including a personal-best 31 points), he's hit 6 3s twice, and he's knocked down a game-winner.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) April 6, 2021
Toronto might have control of Trent despite the fact he is hitting free agency, but it doesn’t sound like he minds being a Raptor. In fact, it sounds like he’s been loving his short time in red and black.
“This is a great place to be, I’m glad I’m here.” — Gary Trent Jr.
— din (@klooowry) April 6, 2021
Trent has been everything the front office hoped he could have been since the trade became finalized. Trent’s shooting has already paid dividends for the Raptors, and this likely won’t be the last time he saves their butts in a close game.