Raptors' first-round exit shows frustrating necessity of Brandon Ingram

The Toronto Raptors pushed the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games before dropping the final game, 114-102, to end their season. 

The fifth-seeded Raptors came close to pulling the upset but dropped two of three games after forward Brandon Ingram's heel injury kept him out. Ingram came to the Raptors at the 2025 trade deadline from the New Orleans Pelicans and immediately signed a lucrative long-term extension. He's not the most efficient or productive scorer, but his absence showed Ingram's offense is absolutely crucial to the Raptors' success.

Brandon Ingram brings offense to elite defensive Raptors roster

The Raptors had the NBA's No. 5 defense this season with a young, athletic roster that contests shots and forced 16.1 turnovers per game, fourth best in the NBA. They've done a great job of developing their draft picks into rotation players.

Jamal Shead was the No. 45 pick in 2024, but played all 82 games in his second season and had 18 points and two steals in Game 5. Ja'Kobe Walter was the No. 19 pick in 2024 and started five playoff games. Scottie Barnes is a great two-way defender.

But Ingram can create his own shot, a skill that's lacking elsewhere on the Raptors roster. A team full of high-energy defensive pests is really effective when they can force turnovers and force fast breaks, but they weren't nearly as effective in the half-court. With Ingram out since early in Game 5 with a heel injury, the Raptors struggled with only Barnes as their shot creator — and in playing small without the 6-foot-8, long-armed Ingram.

Scottie Barnes showed he can lead a playoff team

The Raptors don't need Ingram to be their best player in a playoff series, but they do not have a second option for Barnes. The 24-year-old forward had 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists in Sunday's loss while occupying most of Cleveland's defensive attention. In the 37 minutes Barnes played, the Raptors played the Cavs even. When he sat, the Cavs outscored the Raptors by 12 points, and Barnes wasn't even slowed down by a Max Strus headbutt — just foul trouble.