Toronto Raptors point guard Immanuel Quickley suffered a right pelvic contusion during Wednesday night’s season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team announced at halftime. Quickley was injured while attempting to grab a rebound over Cavs guard Darius Garland. As he went airborne, he collided with Garland and landed awkwardly, resulting in the injury.
Before exiting, Quickley had a solid performance, contributing 13 points, four assists, and two rebounds in just 14 minutes. He was shooting efficiently, going 4-of-9 from the field, including 2-for-4 from beyond the arc. However, after limping off to the locker room in clear discomfort, the Raptors ruled him out for the rest of the game, leaving Toronto with a significant hole in their backcourt.
With Quickley sidelined, the Raptors will rely heavily on newly acquired guard Davion Mitchell and rookie Jamal Shead to step up. Both players will need to handle additional minutes and playmaking duties as the team navigates an already challenging start to the season.
Quickley’s injury comes at an unfortunate time for the Raptors, as they are also without RJ Barrett, who is recovering from a right shoulder sprain suffered in the preseason. The Raptors acquired both Quickley and Barrett last season in a trade that sent OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks. They were expected to play pivotal roles alongside Scottie Barnes, whom head coach Darko Rajakovic and executive Masai Ujiri have identified as key pieces in Toronto’s rebuild.
Last season, Quickley emerged as a key contributor for Toronto, averaging 18.6 points, 6.8 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game. His impressive play led the Raptors to sign him to a five-year, $175 million contract during the offseason. As the team’s lead guard, Quickley’s absence could be a major blow to a Raptors squad looking to bounce back from a dismal 25-win season.
It remains unclear how long Quickley will be out, as the team plans to evaluate him further after the game. His health, alongside Barrett’s return, will be crucial for the Raptors as they hope to avoid early-season struggles in the highly competitive Eastern Conference.
