Although the Toronto Raptors saved their playoff run with a dramatic overtime victory on Friday night, they still have the daunting task of winning a road Game 7.
Facing elimination on their home floor, Toronto managed to drag the Cleveland Cavaliers into overtime and come away with a thrilling 112-110 win, courtesy of RJ Barrett’s three-pointer with 1.2 seconds left in overtime.
As they pack their bags for a winner-take-all showdown on Sunday, the Raptors will also keep a close eye on Brandon Ingram’s injury status ahead of the series decider.
Brandon Ingram’s Injury Status Ahead of Game 7 vs. Cavaliers
Ingram aggravated his heel during the second quarter of the Game 5 loss in Cleveland and looked uncomfortable before retreating to the locker room. He finished that contest with just 1 point, 1 rebound, and 2 assists in 11 minutes of action and was ruled out of Game 6.
TSN reporter Josh Lewenberg provided an update on Ingram’s status, writing, “Brandon Ingram is questionable for tomorrow’s Game 7. Was in a walking boot last night.”
Ingram’s heel issue is unlikely to respond to this short-term rest. If he does end up playing in Game 7, his performance could be well below his usual standards.
Prior to being ruled out, the two-time All-Star was already struggling to find his rhythm during the series, averaging 12.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting 32.8% from the floor and 38.5% from beyond the arc.
During the regular season, Ingram not only averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 47.7% from the field but also started a career-high 77 games.
But the Raptors have shown that they can make do without Ingram in Game 6, as Ja’Kobe Walter and Barrett stepped up when it mattered the most.
Walter played 43 minutes under immense playoff pressure but knocked down 4 crucial three-pointers, finishing the night with 24 points and 5 rebounds.
Besides his overtime heroics, Barrett did not buckle under the bright lights, dropping 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists while going 8-for-21 from the floor to help the Raptors level the series 3-3 in the dying seconds.
Regardless of the names on the injury report ahead of the elimination matchup, winning a Game 7 away from home will require near-perfect execution.
The Raptors need to eliminate careless live-ball turnovers because Cleveland will come out guns blazing and look to establish physical dominance early.
