Raptors Uprising set NBA 2K League record for best start to a season in win over Heat Check Gaming

TORONTO, Canada—This is not a recording.

The undefeated Raptors Uprising GC broke another NBA 2K League record on Monday night, defeating Heat Check Gaming (2-0 series) to extend their winning streak to 11. Toronto’s (11-0) start to the regular season is the best start in NBA 2K League history, passing Mavs Gaming’s previous record of 10-0 set in 2019.

“It’s kind of crazy, that on a Monday night, you set an NBA 2K League record, you win $2500, you do it on Timelycook’s birthday, and it kind of feels like another day in the office for us,” MLSE Esports Manager Shane Talbot told his team after the game. “Amazing stuff guys.”

The Raptors Uprising veteran trio of Kenny Got Work, Sick One, and birthday-boy Timelycook would once again lead the way for Toronto, helping their side jump out to an early 14-2 lead in Game 1.

Solid team defence and unselfish ball movement continued to translate into easy buckets as Raptors Uprising would open up an 18-point lead at the half on the back of a first-half double-double from Sick One (14 points and 11 rebounds) and lights-out shooting from rookie ReeceMode (four-for-five from three).

Hotshot, meanwhile, was the lone bright spot for Heat Check Gaming (2-7) through the opening 24 minutes, chipping in with 19 points on a perfect nine-of-nine shooting from the field.

Toronto would adjust out of the break, however.

With all of Miami’s offence running through the all-NBA 2K League second-team centre, Raptors Uprising would zero-in down low, forcing Hotshot to commit six turnovers in the second half while allowing just four points out of the Miami big man.

With the threat of their best player mitigated, Heat Check Gaming would be held to just 24 points over the final two quarters as Raptors Uprising—who outscored Miami in all four quarters—would take Game 1 convincingly (92-54).

Sick One finished with a monster 21-point, 23-rebound performance, while Timelycook added 18 points, six assists, and nine steals on his birthday. Kenny, meanwhile, led all players with 30 points and eight assists.

Game 2 would start a little differently as Raptors Uprising would be faced with some rare adversity.

With Kenny struggling to find his shot, starting the game just one-for-eight from the field, Toronto would be forced to play a bit of catch-up. Thankfully, Kenny’s teammates would be there to pick him up and keep the game close, limiting their deficit to just four points heading into the halftime interval.

Heat Check Gaming point guard GlennRatty, who committed 10 turnovers in the first game of the series, was better in Game 2, scoring 20 points in the first half. Unfortunately for him and his side, they still had 24 minutes to play against the hottest team in the league.

And just as they’ve done all season, the team from the North would come alive in the third quarter, as MVP frontrunner Kenny Got Work would catch fire.

Kenny would actually outpace the entire Miami team in the frame, pouring in 14 points on a perfect five-for-five shooting from the field, as Raptors Uprising outscored their opposition 24-11 in the quarter to take the lead.

Carrying a nine-point advantage into the fourth, Toronto would keep their foot on the gas pedal. A flawless three-for-three shooting in the quarter from Kenny—and a solid team effort—would help Raptors Uprising see the game out. After some nice ball movement, Legit 973, the rookie out of New Jersey, would connect on two open three’s from the right corner to suck the life out of Miami and put this one to bed.

Four out of five Raptors Uprising players would go on to finish in double-digit scoring as the team would go on to take Game 2 by 22 points (80-58). Kenny, meanwhile, did not miss a shot since midway through the second quarter, finishing with 35 points and 12 assists.

“For me not to be playing my best, and we’re still winning by forty, it’s crazy,” Kenny Got Work told his teammates after the game. “Shoutout to the whole team, you guys are some born hoopers. I wouldn’t want anybody else but you all.”

With the win, the first-place Raptors Uprising maintain a 3.5 game lead over Wizards District Gaming (7-1) with five games left to play. Toronto also secures $2,500 as part of the league’s very first Cash Match; they’ll have another opportunity to earn $2,500 when they return to action on Thursday.

UP NEXT: Raptors Uprising can add to their league record on July 2 when the team takes on Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai (9 p.m. EST). These two teams last met recently in THE TIPOFF tournament semifinals, with Raptors Uprising edging the Season 3 expansion side (2-1 series) in a close matchup. Only a handful of teams have taken a game off Raptors Uprising this season and Gen.G is one of them. Can they find a way to take two?

More News

December 21, 2023

Raptors Uprising acquires Crush, #31 Pick in 2024

November 21, 2023

Raptors Uprising name Nicholas Gartrelle as Head C

July 29, 2023

That’s A Wrap: Raptors Uprising GC conclude