Brandon Ingram's unexpected absence from the Raptors' lineup against the Utah Jazz raised some eyebrows, especially following a tough loss to the Phoenix Suns. Ingram was sidelined due to right heel soreness that flared up during his warmup. Naturally, seeing your star player on the injury report isn't ideal, but head coach Darko Rajaković was quick to put fans at ease.
“Really no big concern over here,” Rajaković assured during the postgame media session. “It just flared up. It’s something that we’re going to take a look at and then see how he feels tomorrow, but I don’t think it’s going to be anything that’s going to be problematic for us.”
Ingram's journey in the NBA has often been marred by injuries. Before this season, he only surpassed 65 games in his rookie year with the Lakers, logging 79 games.
Since then, he managed to clear the 60-game mark just three times in eight seasons. This year, however, Ingram has already featured in 68 games.
If he suits up for the remaining regular-season contests, he'll match his personal best of 79 games played.
For the Raptors, having a healthy Ingram throughout the season has been a significant boost. Trading for him could have been risky if injuries sidelined him frequently, but his consistent presence has been vital, especially when facing stronger opponents.
Against the Jazz, a team focused on rebuilding, the Raptors managed a comfortable 143-127 victory even without Ingram. However, the upcoming schedule presents a tougher challenge with games against the Clippers, Pelicans, Magic, and Pistons.
Ingram's former team, the Pelicans, already dealt the Raptors a tough loss earlier this month. The matchup against the Magic will be crucial, as it determines the season series winner, potentially impacting playoff standings.
As the Raptors aim to maintain their lead over teams like the 76ers, Magic, Heat, and Hornets, they find the Hawks nipping at their heels, just 0.5 games behind. Securing a string of victories is crucial to solidifying their position. Consistently outplaying Cleveland, despite never facing them with James Harden, keeps the Raptors eyeing a favorable four-five playoff matchup with the Cavaliers.