The Toronto Raptors will be facing elimination without Brandon Ingram.
The all-star forward was officially ruled out by the Raptors less than two hours before hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 on Friday night. Cleveland leads the best-of-seven playoff matchup 3-2.
Ingram left midway through the second quarter of Wednesday’s 125-120 road loss in Game 5 to the Cavaliers. The two-time all-star aggravated inflammation in his right heel and the Raptors say it has not improved despite a day of rest.
“I think the most important thing is how we react to these situations,” said Toronto head coach Darko Rajakovic after announcing that Ingram was unavailable to play. “Over the course of our season we were missing different players at different times, and the quality and strength of this team is finding ways for somebody else to step up and to fill in the role and to help the team.”
Ingram’s teammates were prepared to stave off elimination with or without him.
“Be ready to play either way,” said guard RJ Barrett of Mississauga, Ont., at morning shootaround when Ingram was still listed as doubtful. “Obviously, B.I.’s a crazy important piece for us.
“But I think we just have to be ready to go either way.”
Ingram has averaged 12 points in the series and had a 23-point performance in Toronto’s Game 4 victory Sunday. Ingram was 0 for 2 from the field and had one point, one rebound and two assists in 11 minutes Wednesday before departing.
Ja’Kobe Walter, a second-year guard who had stepped into a starter’s role with Immanuel Quickley ruled out for the series, will likely see more touches in the Raptors’ offence if Ingram can’t go in Game 6.
“At the end of the day, we’ll be ready regardless whether he plays or not,” Walter said after Toronto’s morning shootaround at the OVO Athletic Centre. “I don’t really see it any type of different. I’m going to take the open shots when I have them.
“Still just do what I’ve got to do to win. If that comes with taking more shots, it comes with taking more shots. If it comes with playing more defence, it comes with playing more defence.”
Ingram averaged a team-high 21.5 points in the regular season while playing in 77 games, the second most of his career.
Walter averaged 7.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists over 72 regular-season games. He’s averaged 8.2 points, three rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.6 steals over five playoff games, but that includes scoring no points in Games 3 and 4. It’s his first NBA post-season.
By John Chidley-Hill
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 2026.
