The Toronto Raptors are not only holding their own in their crucial first-round game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road, they took a lead into the half.
After intermission, however, things may become a little more complicated.
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Star forward Brandon Ingram, who led Toronto in scoring during the regular season, has been ruled out for the rest of the game with a heel injury.
Ingram played 11:22 in the first half, but was subbed out with 7:32 left to play in the second quarter and immediately went back to the locker room; he did not return to the floor for the rest of the period.
During his time on the court, Ingram was limited to just 1 point on 0-of-2 shooting, with 2 assists, 1 rebound and 1 block.
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NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.
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NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.
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NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
A member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team performs during a time out during the second half of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
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NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Cleveland Brows player Myles Garrett riles up the crowd during the first half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
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NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
A fan waves a towel during the second half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
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NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Fans arrive to watch warmups before game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena.
Ingram has struggled a bit during the postseason and entered the night averaging just 14.8 points per game, which was well below his season average of 21.5.
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The Raptors, at least initially, appear to be well-equipped to handle Ingram’s absence; at the half, Toronto had five different players reach double-figures in scoring, with guard Ja’Kobe Walter leading the way with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 5-of-8 from 3-point range.
At the half, the Raptors are leading Cleveland, 74-67.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brandon Ingram injury update, status for Raptors-Cavaliers Game 5
