Raptors star Brandon Ingram was not healthy during their opening round loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Toronto Raptors were eliminated in round one of the NBA playoffs, falling in a competitive seven-game series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Given the Eastern Conference landscape and how wide open it is, this was an especially disappointing early exit for Toronto. Coming within one win of advancing, the Raptors were able to make this a competitive series despite missing Brandon Ingram for two of the seven games — and him being generally unproductive in the five games he did play.
Averaging just 12 points on 32.8% from the field this postseason, Ingram was certainly not himself. He was dealing with an injury that has since received more clarity. On Friday, the Raptors announced that Ingram has undergone surgery to address a heel spur. He’s expected to make a full recovery before training camp, but this adds more context to his missed time and struggles during the postseason.
Ingram was acquired by Toronto at last year’s NBA trade deadline but did not make his Raptors debut until this season. He appeared in 77 games for the Raptors, averaging 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and making his second career NBA All-Star Game. Had he been at his best and available for all seven games of the first round, it is likely Toronto could be facing the Detroit Pistons right now. But that is not how things played out, as injuries limited both Ingram’s availability and effectiveness.
A 10-year NBA veteran, Ingram was selected second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2016. He spent three seasons in LA before being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in the Anthony Davis deal. Making his first career All-Star Game in his first season with the Pelicans, Ingram then went five seasons without being named an All-Star again. Getting back to that level last season, Ingram was able to show the Raptors why they acquired him.
This is still a relatively young Raptors team, as Ingram is 28 years old, Scottie Barnes is 24 years old, and RJ Barrett is just 25 years old. This core trio, along with a group of role players that complement them well, projects to be players in the Eastern Conference for years to come. Health is always going to be a significant factor, as many other teams are dealing with throughout this postseason, but a healthy Raptors team is among the more complete in the NBA.
While it is disappointing how things ended for Ingram and the Raptors this season, it is good to know that he is expected to fully recover before next year begins.