Brutally-timed injuries could end Toronto Raptors season on Friday

It's tough to win on the road in the playoffs, and even tougher when both your NBA All-Stars go down.

That was the case for the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night in Cleveland, where they fell 125-120 to the Cavaliers. Brandon Ingram exited the game early in the second quarter after an awkward landing, and moments later, Scottie Barnes collided with an opposing player, injuring his right quad.

According to head coach Darko Rajaković, Ingram re-aggravated the heel injury that sidelined him for three regular-season games in late March.

Brandon Ingram heads to the locker room with 7:32 minutes remaining in the 2nd quarter due to an injury - did not return since. pic.twitter.com/YQICFRlUVm

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) April 30, 2026

"We need Brandon out there on the floor," Barnes told reporters post-game. "The way they guard him, he opens up shots for the rest of us."

Barnes stayed in the game after the collision with Cavaliers forward Thomas Bryant late in the second quarter, but he took a hard hit to the quad and said it affected his mobility.

Scottie Barnes on missing Brandon Ingram’s ‘gravity’ in the 4th quarter:

“We needed him out there on the floor.” “The way they guard him, his shot-making ability when he’s out there on the floor. He makes big plays for us on the defensive end as well.” “We need him out on the… pic.twitter.com/G9xSPda7Q3 — Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) April 30, 2026

"I felt like I couldn't play with that same pace I was trying to play with," he said.

The 24-year-old went 0-for-6 from the field in the second half, scoring just three points — all from the free-throw line.

Barnes was seen limping in and out of the post-game press conference area at Rocket Arena, but said he expects to be ready for Friday's pivotal Game 6 in Toronto.

"It's now time for us to go home and get it done," Barnes said.

Barnes added he'll be available for Game 6, though the bigger question is how much the quad issue will limit him. If the Raptors want to push this series to a Game 7, they'll need Barnes at full capacity to impact both ends of the floor.

Scottie Barnes said he took a hit to the quad on a drive, believes it was Thomas Bryant.

"It definitely had an effect.. I couldn’t play at the same pace I wanted.. I’ll be ready for Game 6." pic.twitter.com/Z10cYvmHWW — SleeperRaptors (@SleeperRaptors) April 30, 2026

"Our back is against the wall. Cleveland is going to do everything possible to try to close this series Friday," Rajaković said. "I’m hoping we will have our guys available then."

The Raptors will have a chance to extend the series back home, but they may have to do it shorthanded without one of their two All-Star forwards.