With the Toronto Raptors clinching a playoff position last Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets, they claimed the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference. Weeks and weeks of tight playoff implications have now come to an end. In round one, the Toronto Raptors draw a familiar foe: the Cleveland Cavaliers. Round one promises a loaded schedule, and Saturday is no different. Despite the success and ongoing celebrations for Toronto, a devastating injury occurred within the guard rotation. Just weeks after Immanuel Quickley suffered a right foot plantar fasciitis injury, missing eight consecutive games for Toronto. Now, he is faced with yet another setback, this time with a mild right hamstring strain. So if Quickley misses game one, who are the best individuals to make an impact on the hardwood?
The Quickley Question: Who Should Toronto Count On in Game 1
A Jamal Shead Circus
Houston Cougar alumni Jamal Shead was one of the 18 players this season to play all 82 games. To complement his breakout season, this Saturday, he will make his first-ever career appearance in the NBA playoffs. With Quickley being questionable for game one, Shead seems like the most logical answer for the starting guard role. His ability to be hound opposing ball-handlers will be crucial against a Cavaliers team with Donovan Mitchell and James Harden.
This season, Toronto has totaled a record of 38-32 with Quickley. However, without him, it has been 8-4. Most of those games have been wins for below .500 teams (Nets, Grizzlies, etc.).
All things considered, Shead will have a heavy task on his shoulders with or without Quickley on the floor. The Cavaliers’ Evan Mobley ranks 7th and 16th in block percentage and blocks per 36 minutes. Furthermore, Keon Ellis ranks 15th in the league with steals per 36 minutes (2.0).
Sandro Mamukelashvili
If there is another contributor for Toronto that will need to step it up come playoff time, it’s Sandro Mamukelashvili. This season, “Mamu” is averaging 11.2 points a night, shooting 52.3% from the field, and 38.9% from three. Arguably, he’s the most improved player career-wise for the Raptors. In round one, he has a chance to prove that.
With starter Jakob Poeltl not playing the best over the span of five games, despite a multi-year contract extension with Toronto. Poeltl has been healthy, but he is still struggling to obtain rebounds at a high level, even with a seven-foot frame.
If Mamukelashvili can come off the bench and, at the very most, put up double-digit performances, that would be extremely beneficial and a possible game one victory.
Ja’Kobe Walter
To end off this article, Ja’Kobe Walter is one last player who can prove something in game one. The expectation is that Kenny Atkinson will look to double either Brandon Ingram or Scottie Barnes, leaving Walter with the ability to put points on the board.
Against Brooklyn on Sunday, Walter put up 11 points on 60% shooting from the field. With Darko Rajaković recently earning 100 wins as the head coach of Toronto, I hope to see more utilization of Walter. Whether that’s off the bench or in the starting five.
Featured Image: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
