Gary Trent Jr. will star in Raptors-76ers with no Matisse Thybulle

Gary Trent Jr. and the Toronto Raptors had an extra special win against the Matisse Thybulle-less Philadelphia 76ers. Not only did it give them a third victory in four tries against their division rival, but it gave them added confidence heading into a potential playoff matchup.

Thybulle might not be a very good offensive player, but he continues to start and close games for Philadelphia on the back of his fantastic defense. Thybulle could be a secret weapon in the playoffs, but it appears as though he might not be available for an entire series if the Philly-Toronto matchup comes to fruition.

Thybulle was listed as “ineligible to play” against Toronto, meaning that he likely did not comply with a vaccine mandate that could prevent him from entering the country. After just one game without Thybulle in the lineup, it became clear that Philly’s defense is not as sharp as it could be.

Toronto put up 119 points and was able to make some very time 3-point shots without Thybulle’s pesky defense to slow them down. Trent was one of the main catalysts. With Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby returning in a seven-game series, Trent could take the series over if Thybulle only plays for half of it.

Toronto Raptors: Gary Trent Jr. thrive without Matisse Thybulle.

Trent’s prior two games against Philly were tough to watch. With Thybulle in the lineup, Trent went 6-24 from the field and 4-13 from 3-point range in a loss despite many key players missing the game with injuries. Trent would go 2-13 from the field and score just nine points in their next game.

Without Thybulle, Trent was able to get some space even though VanVleet and Anunoby were out. Trent tallied 30 points on 12-21 shooting and 5-8 from 3-point range. The combination of Tyrese Maxey, James Harden, and Shake Milton did little to slow him down.

Trent followed up his dominance against Philly with a nice night against the moribund Rockets. He’s locked in and read for the postseason. If Thybulle misses three games in a seven-game stretch, that might be enough to swing one of those games in Toronto’s favor.

For as good as Trent has been this season, there is still a streakiness to his game that can make it difficult to expect 20 points every night. However, as he has proven against a Thybulle-less 76ers team, giving him just enough space on the perimeter is enough to seal your doom.