Toronto, Oklahoma City and Denver are each dealing with pivotal injury news as their first-round playoff series continue.
Raptors
Scottie Barnes powered Toronto to a 126-104 Game 3 victory over Cleveland, pouring in 33 points and handing out 11 assists with only one turnover. The win trimmed the Raptors’ deficit to 2-1 and avoided a potential 3-0 hole.
Toronto accomplished the feat without guard Immanuel Quickley, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the series because of a hamstring injury. Forward Brandon Ingram was again limited offensively, finishing with 12 points.
“What he does is just so special,” teammate Jamison Battle said of Barnes. “We have to play to that level every single night.”
Thunder
Oklahoma City forward Jalen Williams sustained a left hamstring strain and will be evaluated on a weekly basis, the team announced. Head coach Mark Daigneault called it a mild Grade 1 injury and described the diagnosis as “relatively positive.”
Williams, who also dealt with hamstring issues earlier this season, is expected to travel with the club to Phoenix for the rest of the series rather than remain home for rehabilitation. He averaged 20.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 26 minutes through the first two games against the Suns. His availability for later rounds remains uncertain.
Nuggets
Denver enters Game 4 trailing 2-1 and could again be without key rotation pieces. Forward Aaron Gordon is listed as questionable with calf tightness after missing Game 3. He took part in a walk-through and received treatment but has yet to be cleared.
Second-year wing Peyton Watson has been ruled out for Game 4 because of a hamstring strain, leaving the defending champions potentially shorthanded as they seek to even the series.
Source: Hoops Wire
