On Saturday, the Toronto Raptors played Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers (in Ohio).
The Raptors lost by a score of 126-113.
Brand Ingram finished with 17 points, two rebounds, four assists and one block while shooting 5/9 from the field in 36 minutes of playing time.
Underdog NBA wrote: “Brandon Ingram’s second half: 4 PTS 0-1 FG 0-0 3PT Raptors fall to 5-18 all-time in Game 1s.”
Brandon Ingram Makes Brutally Honest Statement
GettyBrandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates a teammate’s basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on April 12, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
After the game, Ingram made an honest statement when he met with the media.
Ingram: “Coach wanted to use me as a screener… He noticed that my man wasn’t coming off of me. He wanted me outside of the action a little bit of being a receiver… At the end of the day, me shooting nine shots is not gonna win a basketball game.”
Ingram is in his first season playing for the Raptors.
He finished the regular season with averages of 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest while shooting 47.7% from the field and 38.2% from three-point range in 77 games.
Joel Moran of Pick a Side wrote during the game: “The Raptors half court offense is putrid and it’s enough of a reason to completely fade Toronto from winning more than 1 game in this series. Toronto is relying on tough Brandon Ingram middies and outside of that they can’t do anything Cavaliers are on a different tier”
GettyBrandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates a three-point basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers with teammates Scottie Barnes #4 and Jamal Shead #23 during second half action at Scotiabank Arena on November 24, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Ingram And The Raptors
The Raptors have been one of the best feel good stories of the 2026 NBA season.
They are in the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2022.
Ingram is a huge part of their success.
X User @sig_50 wrote: “It’s to the Raptors own demise if Brandon Ingram isn’t going to be a stable feature in their playoff structure. This is unacceptable (2nd Half Usage, Attempts): In order to attempt to win games this series they have to slow down, muck it up on defense and rely on tough-buckets.”
GettyBrandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors hugs rapper GloRilla after hitting the game winning shot against the Indiana Pacers in their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on November 26, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Before the Raptors, Ingram had spent time with the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans over ten seasons.
He is coming off a regular season where he made his second All-Star Game.
GettyBrandon Ingram #24 of Team Giannis dribbles the ball in the second quarter against Team LeBron during the 69th NBA All-Star Game at the United Center on February 16, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois.
Game 2 of the series will be on Monday night before the teams head to Toronto for Games 3 and 4.
The Raptors last won a title in 2019.
Toronto Raptors Star Brandon Ingram Makes Honest Statement After Cavs Loss