The Toronto Raptors finally got Pascal Siakam back.
The New Orleans Pelicans will have to wait a little longer for Brandon Ingram’s return as they host the Raptors on Wednesday night.
Siakam returned from a 10-game absence due to a strained right adductor to score 18 points and grab 11 rebounds in Toronto’s 100-88 home victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday.
Toronto did decent during the absence of its leading scorer, splitting the 10 games. Against Cleveland, O.G. Anunoby added 20 points, Gary Trent Jr. scored 14, Fred VanVleet had 13 and Scottie Barnes 11. Siakam made 7 of 14 field goals, including 1 of 3 3-pointers.
Barnes, the NBA Rookie of the Year last season, also returned from injury against Cleveland. He had missed two games because of a sprained left knee.
Pelicans coach Willie Green said after practice Tuesday that Ingram (toe) will not play against the Raptors. The team’s second-leading scorer sat out a 105-101 home victory against Oklahoma City on Monday, three days after sustaining the injury in a loss at Memphis.
Green said that three other players that missed Monday’s game — CJ McCollum (health and safety protocols), Larry Nance Jr. (shoulder) and Naji Marshall (non-COVID illness) — are questionable for Wednesday.
Despite being short-handed, New Orleans had five scorers in double figures against the Thunder.
Zion Williamson scored 23 points, including a go-ahead basket in the final minute, and tied a career high with eight assists and added eight rebounds.
Trey Murphy III added 20 points, Jose Alvarado had 15, Herbert Jones scored 12 and Willy Hernangomez 10.
Green said the victory with a short-handed roster was the type of game “we relish.”
Even with the absences, Green still used 10 players, nine of whom scored at least four points.
