The Toronto Raptors will be sweating over the availability of star forward Brandon Ingram ahead of their Tuesday clash against the Detroit Pistons.
Ingram has been a force for the Raptors this season, averaging 21.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 47.1% from the field and 37.8% from the 3-point line in 70 games.
Will Brandon Ingram Play Against the Pistons? Latest Injury Update
According to the NBA’s official injury report, Ingram is listed as questionable with right heel inflammation. The latest comes on the back of the 10-year veteran missing Toronto’s last game against the Orlando Magic.
Ruled out of the matchup was Immanuel Quickley (right foot plantar fasciitis), while RJ Barrett (left shoulder stiffness) is probable. Chucky Hepburn will be on G League duties, while Trayce Jackson-Davis is questionable with right knee tendinitis.
The Raptors are one of the teams in the playoff hunt this season. With a 42-32 record, they are jostling for better positioning in a tight race for the fifth seed. While they are fifth at the time of writing, the Atlanta Hawks (43-33) and the Philadelphia 76ers (41-34) are actively looking to make a desperate push to finish as the regular season inches to a close.
Since acquiring Ingram, the young Raptors unit has benefited from his lethal mid-range shooting. His two-way play as a pesky defender and an elite scorer has been a key factor in the team’s impressive run this season. Earlier, the forward had sounded the warning gong for other teams in the East, saying the Raptors were “making the playoffs,” per The Athletic.
In the same interview, he had spoken about his work on offense leading up to the season. “I think I’ve done a good job of trying to get to my bread and butter, which is the midrange shot, getting to my spot, raising on top of people,” Ingram said. “Coach Darko and my teammates have been doing a good job of getting me to that.”
The Raptors will be keen to make some noise in the postseason this year. They last punched a playoff ticket during the 2021-22 NBA season and were knocked out by the 76ers in the first round. After a three-year drought, the Ingram and Barrett-led side will look to make their case as a serious playoff contender.
The final stretch of the regular season is a challenging one for Toronto. Their final seven games after the Pistons matchup include skirmishes against the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and the New York Knicks.
It remains to be seen if they can field a healthy unit to finish off the season. For now, the Raptors will hope Ingram can suit up on Tuesday against the top-seeded Pistons.
