Turnovers, awful Ingram performance put Raptors in playoff hole

Game 2 was there for the taking, but team's scoring leader and way too many mistakes cost them.

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Published Apr 20, 2026  •  4 minute read

Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over RJ Barrett of the Toronto Raptors during Game 2 of their NBA playoff series Monday night. Photo by Jason Miller /Getty Images

The Toronto Raptors played much better in Game 2 in Cleveland, but the final result was the same, a loss.

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Brandon Ingram’s worst game of the year, a team-wide inability to take care of the basketball and typically strong play from Cleveland’s stars added up to a 115-105 Cavaliers win.

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Toronto’s now down, and almost out, as this first round series heads north to Toronto for Game 3 on Thursday. A road split was there for the taking, but Ingram, who had lamented afterward that you won’t win many basketball games if he only takes nine shots (just one in the second half), missed 12-of-15, led all with five turnovers and now will need to bounce back to redeem himself. After such a strong redemption season after the end of his time in New Orleans, Ingram’s at risk of having it all fall apart here.

Scottie Barnes had a bad start of his own, but turned it on in the second half to finish with 26 points, but Mitchell had 30 (and only one turnover), Harden 28 and Even Mobley completely dominated with 25 and only two missed shots. Toronto’s 22 turnovers led to 22 Cleveland points.

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Takeaways from one that got away from Toronto:

TOO CONSERVATIVE

It was surprising to see the Raptors start the exact same five that had not looked good in Game 1. With Immanuel Quickley ruled out again, it seemed logical that a centre swap could take place or even Ja’Kobe Walter in for Jamal Shead. But head coach Darko Rajakovic decided to stand pat, giving the group a chance to prove they could solve the problems of the opener themselves.  They could not stick enough fingers in to plug enough leaks created by the relentless Cavaliers to prevent water from flooding through.

Jarrett Allen went right at Jakob Poeltl again early, the same defensive matchups from Game 1 again didn’t work and the vote of confidence ended up being a mistake.

It looked worse when Collin Murray-Boyles and other reserves helped Toronto hang around in the first place, looking far more effective than some of the starters. Yes, the bench had been almost invisible in Game 1, but they came out with force in this one and made their mark.

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Murray-Boyles had been the lone effective bench player Saturday and when he played well again, he was finally rewarded with the start in the second half, with Poeltl benched.

Better late than never, but it should have happened from the opening tip.

It was also a bit surprising to not see Poeltl at all in the second half, though again, he’d been ineffective.

Walter benefitted from Rajakovic going with seven players in the second half and took advantage with a strong two-way game. He certainly didn’t look anything like a second-year player. Walter, remember, was one of Toronto’s best players in the final few months of the season.

Toronto’s bench outscored Cleveland’s 45-17.

WAY TOO CASUAL

Toronto could have won this one easily had the team been able to hang onto the ball. Turnover after turnover negated how hard Toronto was playing. The Raptors did so much right, defending all out, rebounding, scoring at will when the reserves checked in, making free throws, but made way too many bad decisions. Some of the turnovers were the result strong Cleveland defence. Many though were just hurried gaffes or Toronto players treating this crucial playoff game way too casually. Throwing the ball away, not chasing loose balls hard enough, not making the easy play.

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The mistakes piled up and coupled with Ingram’s disastrous shooting evening, it was a combination too onerous for Toronto to overcome.

At least Toronto played to its strengths more, pushing the pace for 16 fast break points after getting only three in the first game.

GOOD NEWS EARLY

The Raptors got some good news prior to the game when the NBA announced the results of several coin flips impacting June’s draft order. Toronto won a toss with San Antonio (who received Atlanta’s pick from a prior trade) to select 19th instead of 20.

The Raptors did well two years ago in nabbing Ja’Kobe Walter at 19 and that slot has consistently produced good players since Zach Randolph went there back in 2001. Only seven 19th picks since turned into outright busts. Past results mean nothing, but 20th picks haven’t turned out as well (other than Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson in 2021.

The Raptors will pick 50th in the second round.

AROUND THE RIM

Murray-Boyles has to start Game 3, there’s no rational argument not to do so. The Raptors should strongly consider rolling with Walter and bringing Shead off the bench as well. Walter is currently one of the team’s best players and though he isn’t as quick as Shead or a play-maker, he’s taller, a much better shooter and a good defender like Shead …  The Raptors are 1-9 in playoff series they’ve fallen behind 2-0. They’re 6-4 in series where the first two games were split … Mitchell is sixth all-time in playoff points per game at 28.4. Behind only Michael Jordan, Luka Doncic, Allen Iverson, Kevin Durant and Jerry West. That’s pretty good … Cleveland led by six at halftime but went up by as many as 16 in the third quarter before the Raptors rallied and fought until the end. Toronto never led … Cleveland has won 12 straight playoff games against the Raptors, tied for the NBA record.

@WolstatSun

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