Gradey Dick Opens Up on Impact of Key Injury Return for Toronto Raptors

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Svyato Rovenchuk | Last updated Feb 3, 2025 2:41 PM ET

The Toronto Raptors have managed to surge recently, winning eight of their last 10 games, including a competitive 115-108 ball game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. It does not feel coincidental that this newfound success is coming as the team becomes more healthy with each passing day.

Their recent success has managed to catapult Toronto to the 12th seed in the Eastern Conference. They are still 4.5 games back of the final Play-In spot. However, considering the Chicago Bulls are currently occupying the 10th seed and actively selling players in an effort to build for the future, there is a chance that the Raptors could feasibly sneak into that final spot.

One of the biggest returns for the Raptors was finally getting Immanuel Quickley back from injury. The Toronto guard had been out since Jan. 11 with a hip injury before making his comeback in their recent matchup against the Bulls.

Quickley has been on a minutes restriction since coming back to the Raptors lineup. Despite that, the $162.5 million man has made his presence felt during his limited time on the court.

His backcourt partner, Gradey Dick, opened up about how great it has been to have Quickley back in the lineup.

"It's huge [having him back]. The speed that he plays at, but ... he doesn't go too quick. It's the pace of his game, [it] kind of allows me to play off him really well, where I can cut off that and kind of read him.

That change of pace kind of allows the defense to help out on him. If he doesn't have a shot, I'm filling in a gap or different guys cut in, to the rim, and just open up different avenues for us to score.

Then on defensive end, [there's] just that versatility with him and stuff like that, so he brings a lot to the table."

-Gradey Dick

Quickley has only played 11 games this season due to reoccurring injuries. It will be worth monitoring the impact the Raptors guard has while he gets healthier and his minutes go up.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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