Schröder leads new-look Raptors to season-opening win over Timberwolves

Ice cold water was dumped over Darko Rajakovic instead of champagne or sports drink to celebrate his first-ever win as a head coach in the NBA.

It may have been a fitting way to mark a new era for the Toronto Raptors.

Dennis Schröder had 22 points and seven assists as Toronto fended off the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves 97-94 on Wednesday in both teams' season opener. It was Schröder's first regular-season game with the Raptors and Rajakovic's first patrolling Toronto's sideline.

"We got all the ice ready for him and put it over him and I think it's a special moment for him," said Schröder, adding that Rajakovic was screaming before the ice bath even touched him. "Great experience for all of us in the locker-room.

"We just want to keep getting better every single day and try to get as many wins as possible."

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Schröder became the first player to score over 20 points in his Raptors debut since Kawhi Leonard had 24 to kick off the 2018-19 season. Schröder signed a two-year, $26 million US contract with Toronto on July 12, effectively replacing beloved veteran Fred VanVleet as the Raptors starting point guard.

"No no no we're not starting that," chuckled Schröder at the comparison to Leonard, the centrepiece of Toronto's title run in 2019. "I'm just glad to get a W. They won the championship in 2019, we're just trying to get that winning culture back on our side

"I think Darko's been doing a great job since training camp, telling everybody to move the ball, ball movement, body movement, and I'm just glad we won the game."

Toronto fired head coach Nick Nurse on April 21 after a disappointing 41-41 regular-season record and a 109-105 loss to the Chicago Bulls in the play-in