Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Raptors point guard Immanuel Quickley misses Game 1 loss to Cavaliers because of hamstring strain

Raptors point guard Immanuel Quickley misses Game 1 loss to Cavaliers because of hamstring strain | iNFOnews.ca
Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic reacts on the sideline during the second half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Saturday, April 18, 2026, In Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

CLEVELAND (AP) — Raptors point guard Immanuel Quickley missed Toronto’s 126-113 loss to Cleveland in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round series on Saturday because of a mild right hamstring strain.

Quickley suffered the injury during the Raptors’ regular-season finale against Brooklyn. Jamal Shead started in place of Quickley and scored 17 points, but coach Darko Rajakovic said Quickley’s absence was felt.

“We missed Quickley big time with the way he gets us organized and his shooting helps our team out,” Rajakovic said. “I like Jamal’s defense and what we need on the court. We wanted to have multiple ball handlers on the floor with Jamal.”

Toronto committed 18 turnovers that resulted in 22 points by Cleveland. The Raptors came into the game leading the league in fast-break points, averaging 18.9 points per game, but they had a season-low three on Saturday.

Quickley led the Raptors with 178 3-pointers during the regular season, but Shead picked up the slack from beyond the arc by making a career-high five.

“Our biggest problem was our 17 turnovers. We had a lot of situations where we were careless with the ball,” Rajakovic said. “They won the possession battle. And in transition, I thought we did a very, very poor job.”

Quickley averaged 16.4 points, a career-high 5.9 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 70 regular-season games. The five-year veteran has scored at least 20 points in 20 games and recorded eight double-doubles.

Rajakovic said Quickley was making progress and didn’t rule him out for Game 2 on Monday. Quickley also missed eight games from March 23 to April 5 because of plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Raptors point guard Immanuel Quickley misses Game 1 loss to Cavaliers because of hamstring strain | iNFOnews.ca
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson looks to pass while being guarded by Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead, front and forward Brandon Ingram (3) during the second half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Saturday, April 18, 2026, In Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

Joe Reedy

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles