Another Serb Makes History: Rajaković is the First European Coach in the NBA Playoffs!

Pulse Sports Team 06:10 - 13 April 2026

A historic success for the 47-year-old Serbian coach of the Toronto Raptors, Darko Rajaković!

The Toronto Raptors have secured their return to the playoffs with a dominant 136-101 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, capping off a remarkable turnaround under Serbian coach Darko Rajaković!

Finishing the 2025-26 regular season with a 46-36 record, the Raptors improved by sixteen wins from the previous year and clinched the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. The decisive game showcased clinical efficiency, as Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, and RJ Barrett combined for 69 points on just 36 field goal attempts.

This win sets them up for a first-round NBA playoff matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2026.

This achievement carries historical significance for the Čačak-born coach, who becomes the first European head coach to lead an NBA team to the playoffs. Despite the magnitude of this milestone, the Serbian strategist remained humble.

Well, there aren't many of us, so it's not a huge success.Darko Rajaković

In the post-game press conference, he was quick to acknowledge the legacy of those who paved the way for him.

So many players, so many coaches from former Yugoslavia, especially from Serbia, have made this path possible for me. Without all those successes of the national team, the successes of clubs, the individual successes of players, and then coaches, I would never be in this position or here.Darko Rajaković

The playoff berth was also fueled by a diverse international roster, including Austrian starter Jakob Poeltl, who shot a perfect 5-for-5 for 11 points, and Georgian reserve Sandro Mamukelashvili, who added nine points off the bench.

On the other side, Spanish coach Jordi Fernandez faced a depleted squad at the end of the 82-game season, while Israeli starter Ben Saraf contributed 15 points.