The Eastern Conference has numerous teams that feel they have a solid chance to reach the NBA Finals due to either their past postseason experience or overall talent. Squads like the Toronto Raptors might not possess the raw manpower to win a championship. But a certain individual may be in the right position to allow fans and pundits to wonder about Toronto’s ability to play spoiler.
Despite a disheartening 122-11 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans earlier this week, the Raptors still look primed to reach the playoffs or play-in. Immanuel Quickley’s importance cannot be overstated as they look to finish the regular season on a high note.
Quickley’s role could be decisive in the Raptors’ quest for the playoffs
Even as one of the team’s more reliable scorers, Immanuel Quickley will fly under the radar while opponents focus on Brandon Ingram. Further, the 26-year-old’s game may ignite the sort of runs that could help the Raptors steal games they might have otherwise lost.
Through 63 contests this season, Ingram has averaged 21.5 points while shooting around 47 percent from the field and roughly 37 percent from distance. The 28-year-old has made an effort to prove he is still on an elite trajectory.
After being named an All-Star replacement, Brandon Ingram told The Athletic back in February: "[...] I know every time I step on the floor, every time I come on the floor and put this work in that I’m evolving. I want to do something more. I want to be a better defensive player. I want to shoot the basketball off the dribble better. I want to do everything better. I think the second half of the season is a good time to show who I can be and who I’m evolving into even more."
Ingram will be a focal point. The team did give him a three-year, $120 million extension after all. But it is not as if the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, or any other potential playoff opponent will not be expecting the Duke product to attempt to carry the team’s offensive load.
As a result, Quickley will have ample opportunity to score. While he has only averaged 3.8 assists this season, Ingram averaged 5.7 assists a few years ago with the New Orleans Pelicans. It is possible that added pressure could help Ingram find Quickley, benefiting both his team and his stat sheet.
Immanuel Quickley’s hot shooting could spark runs for Toronto
Quickley has made and attempted the most 3-pointers on the team. Toronto is not a solid club from behind the arc overall, but the Kentucky product may be the best of the bunch. The same could be said of his overall scoring chops. According to Cleaning the Glass, Quickley ranks in the 82nd percentile among point guards in terms of points per shot attempt.
Quickley’s shooting and offensive game are fiery enough to spark dangerous scoring runs and place the team in a competitive position against teams that boast greater scoring prowess.
Toronto will enter the final weeks of the season looking to find its most deadly form, but even if they enter the postseason with definite holes, Quickley’s skills offer reasons to remain optimistic.