Toronto Raptors vs Cavaliers Tonight: Injury Report, Live Stream, Start Time & Expert Picks

A surging Toronto Raptors squad heads into Friday’s road clash with the Cleveland Cavaliers riding a 5-1 run, but the momentum comes with a cost: starters Scottie Barnes (knee) and Gary Trent Jr. (hamstring) headline a mounting injury list that also includes center Jakob Poeltl (ankle) and has forced head coach Darko Rajaković to lean heavily on newcomers Brandon Ingram and RJ Barrett. Despite the setbacks, Toronto’s young core has vaulted to second in the NBA in assists per game (29.7) while leading the league in fast-break points (20.7), a blueprint that powered a 119-109 victory over Brooklyn earlier in the week and kept the club firmly in the East’s top-six picture. Barnes, averaging 18.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists, remains day-to-day, but his three first-quarter blocks on Wednesday underscored how vital his two-way presence is to Toronto’s playoff hopes. Friday’s meeting is also a rematch of the Halloween Emirates NBA Cup opener, where the Raptors stunned Cleveland 112-101 behind 20-point nights from Ingram, Barrett and rookie forward Jamison Battle. The Cavaliers, who rested Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley in that loss, counter tonight with both All-Stars back in the lineup, fresh off a combined 39.4 points per game this season. Jarrett Allen’s 30-point, 10-rebound outing against Miami on Wednesday further highlights the front-court battle awaiting Poeltl’s replacement, likely Precious Achiuwa or second-year center Christian Koloko. Key stats to watch: Toronto’s +8.4 net rating when Barnes and Ingram share the floor, versus -5.7 without one of them; Cleveland’s 12-3 home record dating back to last February; and a league-leading 38.6 percent three-point clip for Barrett in road games. With both teams 5-1 over their last six, tonight’s contest doubles as an early barometer for Eastern Conference seeding tiebreakers and could swing the Group A standings in the NBA Cup. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on NBA TV. If Barnes is ultimately ruled out, watch for Jamal Shead to draw his second straight start at point guard, freeing Immanuel Quickley to hunt catch-and-shoot looks that have him shooting 42 percent from deep this month. Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff, meanwhile, confirmed Darius Garland (toe) will remain sidelined, leaving Mitchell to shoulder primary playmaking duties once more. With the Raptors trending across search and social platforms, a statement win in Cleveland—despite the injury cloud—would cement Toronto as one of November’s biggest surprises and keep Barnes’ budding All-Star campaign on track even as the medical report dominates headlines.