A.J. Lawson will be in uniform when the Toronto Raptors host the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 on Sunday afternoon. Head coach Darko Rajaković confirmed the guard/forward’s availability after the 23-year-old had been listed as questionable with a lingering back problem that has limited him in recent practices.
Lawson logged 14 minutes in Game 1 but saw his floor time drop to five minutes in Game 2 and just two minutes in Game 3. The Raptors trail the first-round series 2-1 after earning a home victory on Thursday.
Quickley ruled out for series
Toronto will proceed without starting point guard Immanuel Quickley, who was ruled out for the remainder of the series on Friday. The 26-year-old aggravated a right hamstring injury while going through on-court drills Thursday, and the club has not provided a timetable for his return.
Barrett’s big night
R.J. Barrett powered the Game 3 win with 33 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals in 39 minutes. Teammate Brandon Ingram praised the swingman’s resilience amid season-long trade speculation, saying Barrett “wants to prove he belongs on this floor.”
Battle emerges off the bench
Second-year forward Jamison Battle could see an expanded role with Quickley sidelined. The 24-year-old played only three combined minutes in the first two contests but contributed 14 points on 5-for-5 shooting, including four three-pointers, in 16 minutes of Game 3.
Source: Hoops Rumors
