Alijah Martin's career-high 27 points lead shorthanded Raptors past Bucks

MILWAUKEE · The Toronto Raptors overcame the absence of three starters and an early double-digit deficit to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 121-107 in an NBA Cup game Friday night. Second-year guard Alijah Martin scored a career-high 27 points off the bench, including six three-pointers, to lead the comeback. RJ Barrett also had 27 points for Toronto, which outscored Milwaukee 70-47 in the second half to improve to 5-4 on the season and 1-1 in Cup play. The Bucks fell to 1-8, their slowest start in 31 years.

Toronto was without Kawhi Leonard (knee), Scottie Barnes (groin) and Immanuel Quickley (hamstring). Martin, who had totalled just 23 points in seven games this season entering Friday, seized his opportunity by shooting 9-of-11 from the field and 6-of-7 from beyond the arc. "Tonight was awesome because you know when guys are ready for their moment, they pop, and he popped tonight," said Jamal Shead, who had a career-high 16 assists and 10 points. "He's been there waiting, waiting and it was cool to see him get his shine."

The Bucks built an early 15-point lead, capitalizing on 11 first-half offensive rebounds. Toronto chipped away and took its first lead on a Martin three-pointer that made it 71-69 with 5:41 left in the third quarter. Milwaukee responded with a 10-2 run, but the Raptors answered with nine straight points and pulled ahead for good on Allen Graves's three-point play with 2:17 left in the third. Toronto led by two entering the fourth and steadily pulled away.

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Martin credited Shead for finding him for open looks. "Jamal is special. He gets you going," Martin said. The 24-year-old guard, a 2025 second-round pick, had never scored more than nine points in an NBA game prior to Friday. He also contributed defensively down the stretch, helping contain Bucks rookie Brayden Burries (21 points, 11 rebounds) and Tyler Herro (23 points, 10 assists).

Jakob Poeltl added 19 points and 11 rebounds for Toronto, while Collin Murray-Boyles also scored 19. Head coach Darko Rajakovic called the victory inspirational for the team's fight and togetherness when things were not going their way early. Martin, who underwent off-season knee surgery, said the performance was a reward after a difficult period where the game was stripped away from him by factors he could not control. The loss continued a difficult start for the Bucks, who are in their first season since two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo departed for Miami. Their 1-8 record matches the franchise's worst start since the 1993-94 season. Toronto, which completed a four-game road trip with a 2-2 record, held Milwaukee to just 47 points in the second half.

Martin said he was grateful and would stay humble and keep pushing. His mother was in attendance at Fiserv Forum for the breakthrough game. Up next: The Raptors host the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night. The Bucks host the Boston Celtics on Sunday.

With files from theScore, Sportsnet and The Globe and Mail