Toronto finally fought their way out of a losing funk in their first round playoff matchup against Cleveland, securing a 126-104 Game 3 victory that gave us plenty of reasons to be excited about how the rest of the series might unfold. Both RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes put on star-defining performances in Game 3, each scoring 33 points with impressive efficiency. Meanwhile, rookie Collin Murray-Boyles continues to be a blooming delight in the postseason, delivering a franchise-record and historic performance in the same game.
Which brings me to Brandon Ingram.
Ahead of Game 3, there was a lot to discuss and unpack when it came to the "Notorious B.I.3." Yes, basketball is a team affair and not dependent on one player's efforts or performance. Still, being thrust into the role of the Raptors' primary offensive weapon, Ingram faces the challenging task of being a key focus in these playoffs. A focus among the fanbase, in the locker room, and most definitely on the Cavaliers' side. They have been, expectedly, targeting Ingram on defense, making it very difficult for him to find his usual rhythm in this series.
So, how did Ingram fare in Game 3 with so much riding on the table?
It's only fair to give Ingram his credit first, as he managed to put up 12 points on solid efficiency (shooting 5-for-9 from the field), along with three rebounds, two assists, and two steals in just over 29 minutes of action. The downside that quickly emerged, however, was Ingram getting into early foul trouble, having racked up four fouls in just the first half. Overall for the Raptors, this issue was proving quite troublesome for several players, including Scottie Barnes, who had three fouls at halftime.
As I laid out in the title of this piece, there was a "double-edged sword" that revealed itself regarding Brandon Ingram’s footing on the Raptors in the aftermath of Game 3. On one hand, it was reassuring to see Ingram efficient from the floor, not forcing the issue, and taking an otherwise acceptable step back to let his teammates with the hot hand (Jamison Battle, stand up) take the spotlight. On the other hand, there is still a lingering feeling of disappointment in the Ingram investment showing itself in the playoffs so far.
Raptors have yet to see a true Brandon Ingram surge in the playoffs
The Raptors put a lot of faith, trust, and monetary investment in Ingram being a key contributor. While his 2025-26 regular season was more than acceptable, I’m not sure the same can be said for the postseason here. For a player who has often been criticized for not meeting playoff standards in his previous samples, the playoff showcase to date for BI hasn't done a whole lot to prove those doubters wrong.
I’ll give Ingram some grace because I understand he's facing more defensive attention and is being asked to serve a role with high expectations. It’s a tall task, for sure, but in the transaction these two parties made (a $40 million annual salary is no joke), Toronto definitely expected Ingram to provide more than just modest playoff production. Where Ingram seems a step behind in this series, RJ Barrett has been using it as the ultimate stepping stone, and that speaks volumes.
Ultimately, Brandon Ingram was brought into this Raptors outlook not just to be ordinary, but to elevate his game to another level. Game 3 was far from a rough showcase for BI, but it still leaves a sense of craving more that has yet to be fulfilled. Hopefully, Ingram and perhaps the Raptors’ coaching staff can adjust accordingly to overcome the opposing defensive hurdles that are holding BI back from being the quintessential version of himself.
If that can be successfully implemented, it sets a cautious tone for the Cavs to take note of in Game 4 and beyond.
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