Brandon Ingram
Getty
Brandon Ingram suffered a sprained right thumb in the Toronto Raptors' 97-96 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Wendesday, January 7.
The Toronto Raptors are set to return to the court on Friday, March 27, for a game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Heading into the matchup, the Raptors should be at ease knowing that their star forward, Brandon Ingram, isn’t dealing with a setback that has him questionable to play in the game this time around.
Lately, Ingram has battled with heel inflammation.
Heading into the Raptors’ March 23 game against the Utah Jazz, Ingram was ruled out for the game. Fortunately for the Raptors, his absence didn’t move the needle for the Jazz.
Raptors Brandon Ingram Immanuel Quickley
GettyTORONTO, CANADA – NOVEMBER 26: Brandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates his game winning shot with Immanuel Quickley #5 after defeating the Indiana Pacers during the second half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on November 26, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
The Raptors took care of business with a 143-127 victory. Heading into the following game, the Raptors listed Ingram as questionable to play. The results were different that time around.
Toronto cleared Ingram to take on the Los Angeles Clippers. The veteran forward checked in for 35 minutes. He shot 8-18 from the field, producing 18 points. Ingram added six rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block to his stat line.
The Raptors lost to the Clippers 119-94.
This season, Ingram has appeared in 69 games for the Raptors. The veteran forward is making 47.2% of his shots from the field and hitting on 37.8% of his threes, averaging 21.5 points per game. He is also averaging 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
Where The Raptors Stand
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 11: Brandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors in action during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on November 11, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Raptors won 119-109. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
On Friday night, the Raptors will look to bounce back against the struggling Pelicans. Although the Pelicans hoped to turn things around in 2025-2026, they had a rough go in the Western Conference.
Entering the Friday slate, the Pelicans are out of the Play-In picture and officially eliminated from postseason contention with a 25-49 record.
Over the past three games, the Pelicans have lost every outing, and they are just 5-5 in their last 10 matchups.
Meanwhile, the Raptors are fighting for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. If all goes right, they’ll get in without having to go through the tournament. Every game going forward matters for seeding purposes.
GettyTORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 24: Brandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates a three-point basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers with teammates Scottie Barnes #4 and Jamal Shead #23 during second half action at Scotiabank Arena on November 24, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andrew Lahodynskyj/Getty Images)
The East is tight. Even at 40-32, the Raptors’ position in sixth place doesn’t guarantee a ticket to the postseason.
The Sixers are behind the Raptors by 0.5 games, while the Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, and Miami Heat are 1.5 games back.
In front of the Raptors are the Atlanta Hawks, who have a 0.5-game lead over Toronto.
After the Raptors face the Pelicans on Friday, they’ll return to their home court on Sunday, March 29, to host the Magic.