Raptors guard Quickley misses playoff opener against Cavaliers due to hamstring issue

Toronto Raptors' Immanuel Quickley (5) drives past Miami Heat's Kasparas Jakucionis (25) during first half NBA basketball action in Toronto on Thursday, April 9, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Raptors point guard Immanuel Quickley missed Toronto’s first-round playoff opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday afternoon due to a mild right hamstring strain.

Jamal Shead took Quickley’s place in a starting five that included Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram and Jakob Poeltl. Shead, who is in his second season, started 12 games and is averaging 6.6 points and 5.4 assists per game.

Quickley, who suffered the injury during the Raptors’ regular-season finale against Brooklyn, missed eight games due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot late in the campaign.

Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic confirmed Quickley’s absence a couple hours before tipoff in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series.

Rajakovic said that Quickley was making progress in his recovery but was not yet ready to play. It was expected that Barnes would handle the Raptors’ playmaking responsibilities with Quickley out.

Quickley averaged 16.4 points, 5.9 assists and four rebounds over 70 games for Toronto this past season.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 18, 2026.

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press