Dave Litman
The Toronto Raptors pulled off an impressive and convincing win in Game 3 of their first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The home side went on a 47-23 second-half run on their way to a 126-104 win. They now trail 2-1 in the series.
However, the team got some bad news on the injury front on Friday, as they’ve learned that they’ll be without starting point guard Immanuel Quickley for the rest of the series, however long it goes.
Quickley has apparently suffered a setback in his rehab from a right hamstring injury and will stay on the sidelines indefinitely.
The 26-year-old averaged 16.4 points per game in 70 contests this season. He had a career-high 5.9 assists, while adding 4.0 rebounds per night and 1.3 steals per game. He shot 37.4% from three-point range.
Quickley to miss entire first-round series
The speedy guard’s presence was missed in the first two games of the series. In Game 3, however, Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett exploded for 33 points apiece, while rookie Collin Murray-Boyles was a beast off the bench with 22 points and eight rebounds in 28 minutes.
Backup point Jamal Shead will continue to see starter’s minutes in Quickley’s absence. After averaging 22 minutes a night during the regular season, Shead has played 32 minutes per contest through the first three games of the series.
In addition, players like Ja’Kobe Walter (27.2 mpg) and Jamison Battle will see their usage increase. After playing just three minutes total in the first two games, Battle came out of nowhere to drain four three-pointers in clutch minutes down the stretch in Game 3 to help ice the game for the Raptors. They’ll need those two to continue picking up the slack for Quickley, particularly in shooting from beyond the arc. Shead has hit on 6-of-12 three-pointers in the series, while Battle is now 4-of-5.
The only way Quickley will get a chance to play again this season is if the Raptors pull off a huge upset of the Cavs and advance to the second round.
