Brandon

Ingram

Ingram’s absence from the lineup leaves the Raptors in a similar situation to Game 6, needing to win without one of their best players to avoid elimination. The former Most Improved Player had struggled to score the ball efficiently, however, over the first five games of the series when he was available. Jamal Shead filled in for Ingram as a starter in Game 6’s victory, tallying seven points and six assists; he’s likely to occupy that starting spot again on Sunday.

Ingram, who sat out Friday’s Game 6 victory with an inflamed right heel, was seen at pregame shootaround with his foot in a walking boot. He’s now on track to miss a second consecutive game and has since been downgraded to doubtful. Jamal Shead moved into the starting lineup on Friday and should remain in that role as the Raptors look to become the first team to win a road game in this series.

Injured during Game 5, Ingram did not play in Friday’s Game 6 victory and wore a walking boot on his right foot. Jamal Shead moved into the starting lineup on Friday and played 33 minutes. The second-year guard should take on a similar workload if Ingram can’t play in the series decider.

Walter has come up big for the Raptors the last two games, totaling 44 points on 14-of-29 shooting from the field. With Brandon Ingram (heel) exiting Game 5 during the second quarter and sitting out Game 6, not to mention Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) missing the entire series, the second-year wing’s contributions have been much-needed. Walter should get another start in Game 7 on Sunday, and the Raptors will need a similar performance if they’re to advance.

With their season on the line, the Raptors will play Game 6 without the injured Brandon Ingram (heel). He has been replaced in the lineup by Shead, who contributed 18 points and seven assists in Wednesday’s Game 5 defeat. At a minimum, the Raptors will need increased production from Shead and Walter if they’re to extend the series to a decisive Game 7 on Sunday.

Ingram, who had to exit Game 5 during the second quarter with right heel inflammation, will miss what could be the Raptors’ final game of the season. A.J. Lawson started the second half of Game 5 but only played two minutes, with Jamal Shead receiving the lion’s share of the available playing time. Either one could find themselves in the starting lineup for Game 6.

Ingram had to leave Game 5 early with heel inflammation, and the injury is serious enough that it will likely keep him sidelined for the do-or-die Game 6 at Scotiabank Arena. With Ingram expected to sit out on Friday, Jamal Shead could enter the starting lineup, and A.J. Lawson could pick up some additional minutes.

Ingram exited Wednesday’s Game 5 defeat with a right heel injury that the Raptors are now describing as inflammation. While A.J. Lawson entered the lineup to begin the third quarter, he only played two minutes, with fellow reserve Jamal Shead logging 34 minutes. If Ingram can’t play on Friday, Lawson could start, but Shead stands to benefit more in terms of playing time.

Barrett continues to produce for the Raptors, having scored at least 22 points in four of the first five games of this series. While his contributions in Game 5 weren’t enough to send Toronto home with a 3-2 lead, they did keep Toronto in the mix until Cleveland clamped down defensively in the fourth quarter. How much more the Raptors need from Barrett in Friday’s Game 6 will depend on Brandon Ingram’s availability (heel), as he left Game 5 in the second quarter and did not return.

Ingram played 11 minutes in Game 5 before aggravating a right heel injury that he’s been dealing with for a few weeks. The initial plan was to retape the foot, but the soreness was too much for the veteran wing to play through. Ja’Kobe Walter, who started and has already made five three-pointers, takes on added importance, as will Jamal Shead.