Getty

Brandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors reacts after a foul during the first half at a NBA game against the Houston Rockets at Scotiabank Arena on October 29, 2025 in Toronto, Canada.

The Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers are serving one of the most entertaining first-round playoff series in recent memory, and there is still one more game to go. 

The decisive Game 7 at Cleveland on Sunday evening will decide who advances to the Eastern Conference semifinals and who goes home.

The Cavs were seconds away from punching a second-round ticket before RJ Barrett’s overtime rim-bouncing 3-pointer sealed a 112-110 Game 6 win for Toronto on Friday night.

Raptors Rule Brandon Ingram Out for Game 7

As tip-off approaches at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Arena, the Raptors delivered a significant injury blow. Leading scorer Brandon Ingram has been ruled out for the contest, the Raptors announced.

The 28-year-old forward was initially downgraded to doubtful but reports indicated he was likely to miss the decisive contest and that has been the exact case. 

Ingram is dealing with a right heel injury he suffered in Game 5 which saw him miss Game 6 entirely. The Raptors, thanks to Barrett and Scottie Barnes, managed to see off Game 6. They will need to do it again without Ingram who hasn’t really replicated his regular-season scoring in the postseason. 

GettyTORONTO, CANADA – APRIL 12: Brandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates a teammate’s basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on April 12, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)

Ingram played and started 77 games this season, his most games since his rookie year and his most starts ever. That toll may have gotten to him in the playoffs. 

The Raptors offense has been reliant on Barrett and Barnes who will both play Game 7. In hindsight, Ingram’s absence might not be fully damaging as feared seeing how this series has unfolded. 

An Uphill Battle for the Visitors 

Nothing means more to these players than a Game 7. It’s something they grow up dreaming of experiencing one day. 

The Raptors have a golden opportunity to walk into Cleveland and pull off a massive upset. We just saw one Saturday night with the Philadelphia 76ers taking down the East-favorite Boston Celtics. 

Game 7s often come down to star play. That’s where the Raptors are dealt an unfortunate hand.

Ingram is the Raptors’ leading scorer and someone who can generate his own offense.

Playoff games, even Game 1s, slow down significantly toward the end. Game 7s often comes down to who plays more quality, controlled basketball. Teams rely on their top scorers to comfy the offense down the stretch of the fourth quarter. 

If Toronto triumphs in Game 7, it’ll mark one of the most memorable victories in franchise history. Even more so with Ingram sidelined.

The Raptors have banked on gritty, gutsy play to keep them neck-and-neck with the star-laden Cavaliers led by Mitchell and Harden.

Can Toronto flex that blue collar toughness one more time this series?

Game 7 is just minutes away from tipping off.