Shead recorded 11 points (4-11 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five assists and two rebounds across 25 minutes in Friday's 115-107 win over the 76ers. He also turned the ball over seven times.
With Immanuel Quickley (pelvis) and rookie first-round pick Ja'Kobe Walter (shoulder) sitting out Friday, Davion Mitchell took his spot in the starting five, but Shead ended up seeing more playing time of the two guards despite coming off the bench. Shead provided some decent counting statistics during his time on the floor, but the seven turnovers made his output much less valuable in points leagues and nine-category leagues. Despite the sloppy outing, the rookie second-round pick should continue to hold down a rotation spot while the Raptors are short on capable ball handlers with Quickley and Walter sidelined.
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Raptors' Jamal Shead: Solid debut off bench
Rotowire
Shead totaled 10 points (3-7 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT), one rebound, four assists, one block and one steal across 19 minutes during Wednesday's 136-106 loss to the Cavaliers.
Shead turned a few heads with his play during the preseason, and he managed to show that in the regular season as well with a strong debut in his first taste of competitive action at the NBA level. Shead is not expected to play a meaningful role off the bench for Toronto, but he could be in line to see more minutes than initially expected if Immanuel Quickley is forced to miss time after sustaining a right pelvic contusion in Wednesday's season opener.
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Raptors' Jamal Shead: Cleared to play
Rotowire
Shead (hamstring) is available for Friday's preseason finale against the Nets, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
The rookie appears to have avoided a significant injury after leaving Tuesday's preseason game against the Celtics due to left hamstring tightness. After a productive preseason, Shead will have one more shot to prove himself before the regular season starts.
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Raptors' Jamal Shead: Won't return Tuesday
Rotowire
Shead left Tuesday's preseason game against the Celtics due to left hamstring tightness and will not return, Aaron Rose of SI.com reports.
The rookie has looked solid thus far in the preseason, and he has made a case to carve out a role off the bench behind Immanuel Quickley (thumb) and Davion Mitchell. Shead will not return Tuesday, though the club is likely just being cautious with the 22-year-old ahead of the regular season. His next chance to suit up will come Friday against the Nets.
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Raptors' Jamal Shead: Another productive performance
Rotowire
Shead recorded 14 points (4-9 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 5-6 FT), five assists and a steal across 19 minutes off the bench in Sunday's 115-111 preseason loss to the Celtics.
Shead has been using the preseason as an opportunity to carve out a depth role at point guard behind Immanuel Quickley (thumb) and Davion Mitchell. There's no question the rookie is taking advantage of every minute he has on the court. Shead is a player worth targeting in deep dynasty formats. However, he's not expected to have a steady role in the rotation once the regular season begins for Toronto against the Cavaliers on Oct. 23, so his upside in standard formats will be minimal.
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Raptors' Jamal Shead: Three steals vs. Washington
Rotowire
Shead tallied 10 points (4-6 FG, 2-2 FT), four assists and three steals over 17 minutes during Sunday's 125-98 preseason win over the Wizards.
Shead saw extended playing time off the bench as Immanuel Quickley (thumb) and Ja'Kobe Walter (shoulder) both sat out Sunday's game. Shead was one of five Toronto reserves to score in double digits, and he was responsible for three of the Raptors' eight steals. Shead will use the preseason as an opportunity to carve out a depth role at point guard behind Quickley and Davion Mitchell.
Shead was selected by the Kings with the No. 45 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. He was then traded to the Raptors along with Davion Mitchell, Sasha Vezenkov and a 2025 second-round pick in exchange for Jaden McDaniels, according to Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca.
Shead played four collegiate seasons at Houston and was especially solid as a playmaker during the 2023-24 campaign, averaging 12.9 points, 6.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 31.1 minutes per game. The six-foot guard is touted as an excellent on-ball defender but isn't particularly reliable from beyond the arc. If he can develop his shot a bit more at the professional level, Shead could carve out a decent career as a backup point guard.
