Ja'Kobe

Walter

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.

After starting Games 3 and 4 and shooting a combined 0-of-15 from the field, much was not expected of Walter going into Game 5. The second-year wing found his groove in Cleveland, shooting 6-of-14 from beyond the arc. The six three-pointers and 20 points were postseason career-highs for Walter, who has two regular-season games with six three-pointers on his résumé. Regardless of what happens with Brandon Ingram, who exited Wednesday’s game in the second quarter with a right heel injury, the Raptors will need Walter to knock down some shots to provide relief for the team’s top scoring options.

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.

Walter gets the start in Game 3, replacing Jamal Shead, who had filled in for the injured Immanuel Quickley. Walter is averaging 10.5 points in 28.0 minutes per game in the playoffs.

With Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) unavailable, Walter played 28 minutes off the bench in each of the first two games of this series. If the second-year guard can’t play in Game 3, his minutes would go to Quickley if the starting guard can return. However, if Quickley and Walter can’t play, the Raptors would have to turn to AJ Lawson, Jamison Battle or Gradey Dick to enter the rotation.

Quickley is set to miss Game 1 against the Cavaliers on Saturday with a right hamstring strain. The 26-year-old point guard suffered the injury in the Raptors’ last game of the regular season. Ja’Kobe Walter and Jamal Shead are the logical candidates to replace Quickley in Saturday’s starting lineup.

Quickley had to exit Toronto’s regular-season finale due to tightness in his right hamstring, and the injury has been diagnosed as a strain. Ja’Kobe Walter was the replacement the last time that Quickley was the lone unavailable starter for the Raptors, and that may be the case for Game 1. Another candidate to fill the potential void is Jamal Shead.

Barrett did not play in Friday’s loss to the Knicks, resulting in a spot start for Ja’Kobe Walter. Walter will head to the bench if Barrett returns on Sunday.

With Immanuel Quickley (foot) and RJ Barrett (knee) both sidelined for this game, Shead and Walter will return to the starting unit. Both players have had productive starts recently and will look to help Toronto avoid the play-in tournament.

Absent from the Raptors’ initial injury report, Barrett will not play against his former team due to a sore right knee. Ja’Kobe Walter is the most likely replacement in the starting lineup.