The Toronto Raptors are in serious trouble. After dropping the first two games against the Cleveland Cavaliers, they now face an 0-2 deficit in the first round of the playoffs.
Toronto was able to keep Game 2 closer than Game 1, but similar issues showed up in both games. Through two games, Toronto is averaging 20 turnovers and just 109 points per game. Both marks are a steep drop from the regular season, where they averaged 13.7 turnovers and 114.6 points.
Another major theme has been the absence of one player: Immanuel Quickley.
The first two games have shown Immanuel Quickley’s value
Losing your starting point guard would affect any team’s offense. For Toronto, it means losing their primary initiator and best three-point shooter. Quickley was also the team’s fourth leading scorer, and the type of player who can punish Cleveland’s offense-first guard duo, James Harden and Donovan Mitchell.
A healthy Quickley would have given the offense more space to operate. Despite Jamal Shead hitting a career-best five three-pointers in Game 1, he shot just 32.1% from deep during the regular season. Cleveland treated Shead like a struggling shooter, sagging off him and packing the paint.
That would not have been an option with Quickley on the floor, and it would have given Toronto’s physical scorers like Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett more room to operate inside the paint.
Quickley also would have helped limit Toronto’s turnovers. He ranked seventh in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio during the regular season. He is comfortable with the ball in his hands and rarely makes mistakes when defenses apply pressure.
As good as Scottie Barnes has been filling in at point guard, he led the team in turnovers during the regular season and has a tendency to make mistakes when he plays too fast.
Quickley has faced criticism this season about whether he can be a legitimate starting point guard for this team. This postseason is already showing just how critical he is to Toronto’s offense.
When will Immanuel Quickley be back?
Immanuel Quickley was listed as questionable ahead of Game 2 but was ultimately ruled out. His status for Game 3 remains uncertain, though there is some optimism he could return.
The Raptors will continue to evaluate Quickley on a daily basis, but his availability could swing the series. If he is unable to suit up, Toronto may once again struggle to generate clean offense.
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