The Toronto Raptors are preparing for Sunday’s winner-take-all Game 7 in Cleveland without All-Star forward Brandon Ingram, who has been downgraded to doubtful.
Sportsnet’s Blake Murphy reported the change in Ingram’s status after the club had initially labeled him questionable. The 28-year-old aggravated a right heel injury during the second quarter of Wednesday’s Game 5 defeat at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and did not return. The same heel problem sidelined him for three contests late in the regular season, in which he appeared 77 times—his second-highest single-season total.
Ingram missed Friday’s Game 6 and was still wearing a walking boot at the team’s Sunday morning shootaround, according to Sportsnet’s Michael Grange. The downgraded designation leaves Toronto bracing for a pivotal matchup without its leading scorer.
Now in his 10th NBA season, the No. 2 pick in the 2016 draft averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists across 33.8 minutes per game during the regular campaign. Although his production has dipped in the first-round series against Cleveland, his length and scoring ability continue to influence opposing defenses.
Head coach Darko Rajakovic turned to second-year guard Jamal Shead in Game 6. Shead shot 2-for-9 from the field but contributed six assists against two turnovers and posted a plus-six rating in 33 minutes, helping the Raptors edge the Cavaliers in overtime and force Sunday’s decisive contest.
The Raptors and Cavaliers tip off Game 7 on Sunday night in Cleveland, with the winner advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Source: Hoops Rumors
