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CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers won’t face the Toronto Raptors’ No. 1 starting lineup in Game 1 of their first-round NBA playoff series.
The Raptors initially listed starting point guard Immanuel Quickley (right hamstring strain) as questionable to play in Game 1. But during pregame media availability, Raptors coach Darko Rajaković said Quickley has been ruled out for Game 1.
“He’s improving. Every day he’s getting better, but for Game 1, he’s going to be out,” Rajaković said.
Raptors will start Jamal Shead in Immanuel Quickley’s place
Rajakovic declined to disclose who will start in Quickley’s place, but the Raptors later announced Jamal Shead will start at point guard with Quickley sidelined.
Tipoff for the fourth-seeded Cavs (52-30) versus the fifth-seeded Raptors (46-36) is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at Rocket Arena.
Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said he had been preparing for Quickley to play.
“Obviously, [Quickley provides] the shooting piece, right? The speed. The guy’s a heck of a player,” Atkinson said. “He’s been, I’m sure Darko would agree, a big reason why they’ve captured the fifth seed. He’s had a heck of a year.”
Quickley left the Raptors’ regular-season finale April 12 against the Brooklyn Nets with right hamstring tightness. The next day, the Raptors announced Quickley had undergone medical imaging, leading him to be diagnosed with “a mild hamstring strain.”
At the time, the Raptors described Quickley’s status as day to day.
Raptors starters vs. Cavaliers in Game 1
Here are the Raptors’ starters for Game 1:
The Akron Beacon Journal sports department can be contacted via email at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Raptors rule out Immanuel Quickley for Game 1 vs. Cavs in NBA playoffs
Reporting by Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
