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Jamal Shead Jamal Shead starts, scores 14 points in Game 7
Sun, May 3, 2026, 5:18 PM
Jamal Shead added 14 points (5-of-16 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), three rebounds, seven assists and two three-pointers in Sunday's loss to the Cavaliers.
Analysis: Despite his struggles from beyond the arc throughout the series, Shead kept firing away on Sunday. And, again, he missed a lot more than he made. However, the second-year pro managed to finish in double figures as a scorer for the third time in this series, while putting together another strong performance as a passer. His inability to consistently make Cleveland's defense pay for allowing him open shots ultimately caused him lots of production and impacted the Raptors' offense. He's unlikely to be a difference-maker in fantasy leagues next season. |
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Scottie Barnes Scottie Barnes records 24/9/6 line Sunday in loss
Sun, May 3, 2026, 5:09 PM
Scottie Barnes tallied 24 points (8-of-14 FGs, 7-of-7 FTs), nine rebounds, six assists, one block and one three-pointer in the loss to the Cavaliers on Sunday.
Analysis: Barnes was arguably Toronto's best performer on Sunday. In his 37 minutes, efficient shooting led him to finish as the team's top scorer, and his production on the defensive glass nearly led to a double-double. The fifth-year forward showcased his versatility on both ends of the floor and played well in essentially all seven games this series. He was virtually the same level of fantasy player this season as he was last. However, his success in the opening-round loss to the Cavaliers makes another leap in production in the 2026-27 season something fantasy managers could be optimistic about. |
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RJ Barrett RJ Barrett scores 23 points in loss to Cleveland
Sun, May 3, 2026, 5:00 PM
RJ Barrett tallied 23 points (9-of-25 FGs, 4-of-5 FTs), four rebounds, six assists, three steals and one three-pointer in Sunday's loss to the Cavaliers.
Analysis: Barrett got his points in Game 7, but he never truly found a rhythm. In fact, he struggled from both inside and outside the arc, and added a trio of turnovers along the way. The seventh-year guard was able to make up for some of the shooting struggles with solid facilitating and good disruptiveness on the defensive end. Nonetheless, it probably wasn't the performance he was looking for, given the magnitude of the game. Barrett's numbers were down this season, which limited his fantasy production. |
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Brandon Ingram Brandon Ingram (heel) ruled out Sunday for Game 7
Sun, May 3, 2026, 12:16 PM
Spencer Davies
Brandon Ingram (heel) will not play on Sunday against the Cavaliers.
Analysis: Ingram's absence from the lineup leaves the Raptors in a similar situation to Game 6, needing to win without one of their best players to avoid elimination. The former Most Improved Player had struggled to score the ball efficiently, however, over the first five games of the series when he was available. Jamal Shead filled in for Ingram as a starter in Game 6's victory, tallying seven points and six assists; he's likely to occupy that starting spot again on Sunday. |
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Brandon Ingram Brandon Ingram (heel) downgraded to doubtful
Sun, May 3, 2026, 6:46 AM
NBA Injury Report
Brandon Ingram (heel) has been downgraded to doubtful for Sunday's Game 7 against the Cavaliers.
Analysis: Ingram, who sat out Friday's Game 6 victory with an inflamed right heel, was seen at pregame shootaround with his foot in a walking boot. He's now on track to miss a second consecutive game and has since been downgraded to doubtful. Jamal Shead moved into the starting lineup on Friday and should remain in that role as the Raptors look to become the first team to win a road game in this series. |
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Brandon Ingram Brandon Ingram (heel) questionable for Game 7
Sat, May 2, 2026, 11:00 AM
Josh Lewenberg
Brandon Ingram (heel) is questionable for Sunday's Game 7 against the Cavaliers.
Analysis: Injured during Game 5, Ingram did not play in Friday's Game 6 victory and wore a walking boot on his right foot. Jamal Shead moved into the starting lineup on Friday and played 33 minutes. The second-year guard should take on a similar workload if Ingram can't play in the series decider. |
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RJ Barrett RJ Barrett hits game-winner, scores 24 points
Fri, May 1, 2026, 4:47 PM
NBA
RJ Barrett accounted for 24 points (8-of-21 FGs, 4-of-5 FTs), nine rebounds, three assists, one steal and four three-pointers in Friday's Game 6 win over the Cavaliers.
Analysis: Barrett didn't have his best game on Friday, but he made the big shot that forced a Game 7. While it wasn't as dramatic as Kawhi Leonard's series-clincher against the 76ers in 2019, many fans held their breath as Barrett's three-point attempt in the final seconds of overtime bounced high off the heel of the rim before falling through the hoop. Even with the poor shooting in Game 6, Barrett has been solid throughout this series. The Raptors will look to win Game 7 in Cleveland, with the home team having won each of the first six games of the series. |
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Scottie Barnes Scottie Barnes records 25 points, 14 assists
Fri, May 1, 2026, 4:46 PM
Scottie Barnes finished Friday's Game 6 win over the Cavaliers with 25 points (11-of-21 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), seven rebounds, 14 assists, three steals and three blocks.
Analysis: Barnes' 14th assist of Game 6 was his most important, as a pass to RJ Barrett led to a three-pointer that gave Toronto a 112-110 lead with 1.2 seconds remaining in overtime. That shot would stand as the game-winner, sending the series back to Cleveland for a Game 7 on Sunday. Barnes, who finished Game 6 three rebounds shy of a triple-double, has been the best player in this series so far. And another performance like the one he produced on Friday will give Toronto a shot at advancing. |
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Jamal Shead TOR starts Shead, Walter, Barrett, Barnes, Poeltl
Fri, May 1, 2026, 1:08 PM
NBA Lineups
Jamal Shead, Ja'Kobe Walter, RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl will start Friday's Game 6 against the Cavaliers.
Analysis: With their season on the line, the Raptors will play Game 6 without the injured Brandon Ingram (heel). He has been replaced in the lineup by Shead, who contributed 18 points and seven assists in Wednesday's Game 5 defeat. At a minimum, the Raptors will need increased production from Shead and Walter if they're to extend the series to a decisive Game 7 on Sunday. |
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Brandon Ingram Brandon Ingram (heel) downgraded to out for Game 6
Fri, May 1, 2026, 11:49 AM
Josh Lewenberg
Brandon Ingram (heel) is out for Friday's Game 6 against the Cavaliers.
Analysis: Ingram, who had to exit Game 5 during the second quarter with right heel inflammation, will miss what could be the Raptors' final game of the season. A.J. Lawson started the second half of Game 5 but only played two minutes, with Jamal Shead receiving the lion's share of the available playing time. Either one could find themselves in the starting lineup for Game 6. |
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Brandon Ingram Brandon Ingram (heel) downgraded to doubtful
Fri, May 1, 2026, 9:26 AM
NBA Injury Report
Brandon Ingram (heel) has been downgraded to doubtful for Friday's Game 6 against the Cavaliers.
Analysis: Ingram had to leave Game 5 early with heel inflammation, and the injury is serious enough that it will likely keep him sidelined for the do-or-die Game 6 at Scotiabank Arena. With Ingram expected to sit out on Friday, Jamal Shead could enter the starting lineup, and A.J. Lawson could pick up some additional minutes. |
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Scottie Barnes Scottie Barnes (quad) absent from injury report
Thu, Apr 30, 2026, 11:09 AM
Scottie Barnes (quad) is not on the injury report for Friday's Game 6 against the Cavaliers.
Analysis: Barnes played through a right quad contusion that he suffered during the second quarter of Wednesday's Game 5 defeat. Following the game, he said that he'll be fine for Game 6, and the Raptors have not even included Barnes on the initial injury report. With Toronto's season on the line, Barnes will take on his usual workload, if not exceed it. |
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Brandon Ingram Brandon Ingram (heel) questionable for Game 6
Thu, Apr 30, 2026, 11:01 AM
Ian Finlayson
Brandon Ingram (heel) is questionable for Friday's Game 6 against the Cavaliers.
Analysis: Ingram exited Wednesday's Game 5 defeat with a right heel injury that the Raptors are now describing as inflammation. While A.J. Lawson entered the lineup to begin the third quarter, he only played two minutes, with fellow reserve Jamal Shead logging 34 minutes. If Ingram can't play on Friday, Lawson could start, but Shead stands to benefit more in terms of playing time. |
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Jamal Shead Jamal Shead drops 18 points, seven dimes in Game 5
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 4:32 PM
Jamal Shead accounted for 18 points (7-of-15 FGs), one rebound, seven assists, two steals and four three-pointers in Wednesday's Game 5 loss to the Cavaliers.
Analysis: After scoring 17 points in the series opener, Shead totaled eight points on 3-of-14 shooting in the three games that followed. Like Ja'Kobe Walter, who put up 20 points in Game 5, Shead needed a positive showing on Wednesday. The 18 points are a playoff career-high for the second-year guard, who also tallied a new high in assists. Shead's 34 minutes received a boost due to Brandon Ingram (heel) exiting during the second quarter, and he'll likely log heavy minutes in Game 6 if BI can't go. |
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Scottie Barnes Scottie Barnes (quad) posts 17 points, 11 assists
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 4:31 PM
Eric Koreen
Scottie Barnes (quad) recorded 17 points (6-of-16 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), eight rebounds, 11 assists, one steal and three blocks in Wednesday's Game 5 loss to the Cavaliers.
Analysis: Barnes may have recorded his second double-double of the series on Wednesday, but the Raptors' star was not his usual self. He took a hit to the right quad during the second quarter and was hobbled the rest of the way, gutting out 39 minutes. When asked about the injury after the defeat, Barnes made it clear that he'll be ready for Game 6 on Friday. The Raptors need a win to extend the series to a decisive Game 7, which would be played on Sunday in Cleveland. |
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RJ Barrett RJ Barrett scores game-high 25 points in Game 5
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 4:30 PM
RJ Barrett tallied 25 points (9-of-19 FGs, 5-of-9 FTs), 12 rebounds, five assists and two three-pointers in Wednesday's Game 5 loss to the Cavaliers.
Analysis: Barrett continues to produce for the Raptors, having scored at least 22 points in four of the first five games of this series. While his contributions in Game 5 weren't enough to send Toronto home with a 3-2 lead, they did keep Toronto in the mix until Cleveland clamped down defensively in the fourth quarter. How much more the Raptors need from Barrett in Friday's Game 6 will depend on Brandon Ingram's availability (heel), as he left Game 5 in the second quarter and did not return. |
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Brandon Ingram Brandon Ingram (heel) will not return Wednesday
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 2:42 PM
Blake Murphy
Brandon Ingram (heel) will not return to Wednesday's Game 5 against the Cavaliers.
Analysis: 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. |
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Brandon Ingram Brandon Ingram scores 23 points Sunday vs. Cavs
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 10:24 AM
Brandon Ingram notched 23 points (6-of-23 FGs, 8-of-9 FTs), six rebounds, two blocks and three three-pointers in the win over the Cavaliers on Sunday.
Analysis: A late second-quarter flurry and an important three-pointer late in the fourth quarter meant that despite his offensive struggles, at least his contributions came at pivotal moments. Ingram didn't tally any assists, meaning his impact on offense was mostly as a scorer. He'll have another chance to find his rhythm on Wednesday in Game 5. |
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Scottie Barnes Scottie Barnes has 23/9/6/1/3 line in Game 4 win
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 10:18 AM
Scottie Barnes totaled 23 points (6-of-15 FGs, 11-of-14 FTs), nine rebounds, six assists, one steal and three blocks in the win over the Cavaliers on Sunday.
Analysis: Both teams struggled to score in Sunday's contest, but behind Barnes' 23 points, the Raptors did just enough to win and even the series. The fifth-year forward earned nearly half of his points total at the charity stripe, with the remainder coming inside the three-point line. He tallied more rebounds and assists than any other Raptors player and was impactful on the defensive end of the floor. Now tied at two games apiece, the series flips back to Cleveland for Game 5, where Barnes will look to lead his team to a third straight victory. |
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A.J. Lawson A.J. Lawson (back) available Sunday for Game 4
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 6:47 AM
Esfandiar Baraheni
A.J. Lawson (back) is available to play in Sunday's game against the Cavaliers.
Analysis: Lawson's availability will provide Toronto with perimeter depth. He's played in all three games thus far in the playoffs, totaling 21 minutes and one made field goal. |
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