Raptors Coach Downplays Ingram's Heel Injury

Darko Rajakovic says Brandon Ingram's heel issue is 'not a big concern'

Mar. 24, 2026 at 6:35am

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Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram was a late scratch in their game against the Utah Jazz on Monday due to heel inflammation. Despite Ingram's absence, the Raptors cruised to a 143-127 victory. After the game, Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic expressed optimism about Ingram's status, saying the injury is 'really not a big concern' and that they will evaluate him further on Tuesday.

Why it matters

The Raptors are fighting to solidify their playoff positioning, and they cannot afford to lose Ingram, a key player, for an extended period. Ingram has a history of injuries, so the team will be cautious in monitoring his recovery.

The details

Ingram was originally in the starting lineup but was replaced by Ja'Kobe Walter just before tip-off. The Raptors later announced that Ingram would sit out the game due to the heel issue. In Ingram's absence, RJ Barrett stepped up with a team-high 27 points, while Sandro Mamukelashvili, Walter, and Scottie Barnes also reached the 20-point mark. The Raptors shot an impressive 61% from the field, including 20-of-37 from 3-point range.

  • Ingram was a late scratch just before the game against the Utah Jazz on Monday, March 24, 2026.

The players

Darko Rajakovic

The head coach of the Toronto Raptors.

Brandon Ingram

A 28-year-old forward for the Toronto Raptors who was a late scratch due to heel inflammation.

RJ Barrett

A Raptors player who scored a team-high 27 points in the win over the Jazz.

Sandro Mamukelashvili

A Raptors player who scored 23 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, and had 5 steals in the win over the Jazz.

Ja'Kobe Walter

A Raptors player who started in place of the injured Brandon Ingram.

Scottie Barnes

A Raptors player who scored 20 points in the win over the Jazz.

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What they’re saying

“It's really not a big concern over here. It just flared up. It's something that we are going to take a look at and see how he feels tomorrow. But I don't think it's going to be anything (serious).”

— Darko Rajakovic, Head Coach, Toronto Raptors

What’s next

The Raptors will evaluate Brandon Ingram's heel injury on Tuesday and determine his status for their upcoming game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.

The takeaway

The Raptors were able to win convincingly without Brandon Ingram, but his health remains a key concern as the team fights for a playoff spot. Darko Rajakovic's optimism about the injury suggests the team believes Ingram's issue is not serious, but they will continue to monitor the situation closely.