The Raptors and Pistons have released their injury reports for Sunday's NBA matchup.
At 37–29, the Toronto Raptors enter Sunday’s contest against the Detroit Pistons with the sixth-best record in the Eastern Conference. It has been an up-and-down season for Toronto, particularly against good opponents. Consistently stringing together wins against the NBA’s better teams has been a struggle for the Raptors, but they will have an opportunity to do just that on Sunday against the top-seeded Pistons.
Detroit has paced the Eastern Conference for most of the season, while Toronto has hovered near the middle. This is a potential Eastern Conference playoff preview, which makes it that much more intriguing.
Detroit’s injury report for this matchup includes Isaiah Stewart, who is out with a left calf strain, and Ausar Thompson who is listed as available despite a right ankle sprain.
For Toronto, Chucky Hepburn is out due to his two-way G League status, and Collin Murray-Boyles is out with a left thumb sprain. Murray-Boyles' absence is felt each game he misses, and this contest will be no different.
Toronto is coming off a win over the Phoenix Suns but is just two games removed from a disappointing loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
A win over Detroit would be among the best Toronto has had this season and would go a long way toward building some momentum for this group as the playoffs near. Just one loss better than the seventh-seed Miami Heat, Toronto also has to worry about the play-in tournament. Seeds one through six get automatic playoff spots, while the seventh through ninth seeds must compete in the play-in.
Having occupied a top-six spot for much of the season, it would be a major disappointment for the Raptors if they were unable to secure an automatic playoff berth and were instead forced to compete in the play-in tournament. That is why there is increased importance on every single game, and Sunday afternoon against Detroit will be no exception.
Also just one loss back of the fifth-seed Orlando Magic, Toronto can be looking up as well. One loss could end up separating the fifth through seventh seeds in the Eastern Conference, which is why dropping games to teams like New Orleans is even worse for the Raptors. They can make up for that game with an upset over Detroit. It won't be easy, as the Pistons enter in good form having won three straight games to move 4.5 games up on the second seed Boston Celtics.