The Toronto Raptors will have to face the ultimate test without their star player. All-Star forward Brandon Ingram has been officially ruled out for Sunday's do-or-die Game 7 against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena, with the first-round series tied 3-3.

Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic delivered the tough news during pregame media availability, confirming that Ingram's right heel inflammation will keep him on the sidelines for the decisive matchup. It's a crushing blow for Toronto, which had hoped its leading scorer could push through the pain after being listed as questionable, then downgraded to doubtful earlier in the day.

The heel issue first surfaced during the second half of Toronto's Game 5 loss, and it's been a recurring problem throughout the 2025-26 regular season. Ingram also sat out Game 6, where the Raptors managed to rally without him and force this winner-take-all showdown. Now, with less than two hours before the 7:30 p.m. tipoff, the team has officially pulled the plug on his availability.

For the Raptors, this is a gut-check moment. Ingram has been the engine of their offense all season, and his absence puts immense pressure on players like RJ Barrett, who stepped up in Game 6 with a strong performance. Barrett will need to replicate that effort—and then some—against a Cavaliers team that features the relentless James Harden and the imposing Jarrett Allen in the paint.

Game 7s are where legends are made, and the Raptors will have to dig deep without their All-Star. Can Toronto's supporting cast rise to the occasion, or will Cleveland's depth prove too much? One thing is certain: this series has delivered drama, and the final chapter promises to be unforgettable.