Raptors Lean on Brandon Ingram After Cold Shooting Night Leaves Series Hole

The Toronto Raptors find themselves in an early playoff bind after dropping the first two games of their first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, with Game 2 once again raising questions about their offensive consistency in key moments. A 115-105 defeat on Monday left Toronto trailing 2-0 in the best-of-seven matchup.

Brandon Ingram, who voiced frustration after Game 1 about limited late-game touches, was more involved in Game 2 but struggled to convert opportunities. Despite a clear effort by Toronto to feature him more in the offense, the results did not follow.

Ingram finished with just seven points on 3-for-15 shooting, a performance that underscored the Raptors’ broader scoring difficulties in a game they viewed as highly winnable on the road.

With the series shifting momentum toward Cleveland, Game 3 now carries added urgency for Toronto, which faces a pivotal opportunity to avoid falling into a near-insurmountable 3-0 deficit.

1. Ingram’s Struggles Under the Spotlight

After expressing concerns in Game 1 about his involvement late in possessions, Ingram was expected to play a more central role in Game 2. The Raptors adjusted their approach, making a conscious effort to get him more touches throughout the game. However, increased involvement did not translate into efficiency. Ingram struggled to find rhythm, missing shots both in isolation and within the flow of the offense as Cleveland’s defense tightened its coverage. His 3-for-15 shooting night reflected a broader issue of timing and execution rather than a lack of opportunity. Toronto’s adjustments created chances, but finishing those possessions proved difficult. For a player expected to anchor the offense, the inconsistency stood out in a game where margins were thin and every possession carried weight.

2. Coaching Confidence Despite Early Deficit

Despite the rough outing, Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic remained publicly supportive of Ingram, emphasizing belief in the forward’s ability to recover quickly in a high-pressure situation. “Brandon is a very important player for us. The ball did not go in tonight,” Rajakovic said postgame. “We need him to continue being aggressive and shooting. I got absolute support for him. He’s going to make his shots.” The message reflected Toronto’s internal approach of maintaining confidence in its top scorer rather than overreacting to a single poor performance in a playoff series. Rajakovic’s stance also reinforced the expectation that Ingram will remain a focal point of the offense moving forward, particularly with the team needing stability in half-court scoring situations.

3. Supporting Cast Steps Up, but Not Enough

While Ingram struggled, Toronto did find unexpected production from its bench, offering a brief glimpse of offensive balance that ultimately wasn’t enough to swing the result. Ja’Kobe Walter, Collin Murray-Boyles, and Sandro Mamukelashvili combined for 43 points, providing energy and scoring depth that kept the Raptors competitive for stretches of the game. That production, however, highlighted the missed opportunity for a full-team performance. With a stronger showing from its primary scorer, Toronto may have had a realistic chance to steal a road win and even the series. With Immanuel Quickley dealing with an injury, the Raptors’ margin for error remains slim, placing additional pressure on Ingram to rebound quickly as the series shifts to a must-win Game 3 scenario.