With at least 1 key player missing, Raptors fans not worried ahead of Game 2 against 76ers

Still feeling the sting from a 20-point loss over the weekend, Toronto Raptors fans are hopeful the team will tie the first-round NBA playoff series in Game 2 Monday night against the Philadelphia 76ers. 

But with at least one key player ruled out — and another two likely to sit out as well —  that's easier said than done. 

However, fans say they aren't worried. 

"I think they [have] bounced back before," said Shevone White, who was among those braving Monday's spring snowstorm to cheer on the team at Jurassic Park outside Scotiabank Arena ahead of the game.

"We can't let the injuries affect us." 

Raptors rookie Scottie Barnes had an excellent playoff debut in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series on Saturday in Philadelphia, scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. That was before Sixers centre Joel Embiid stepped on his foot with just over nine minutes left to play. 

The 20-year-old, who is a finalist for NBA rookie of the year honours, will be out for Game 2.

"I thought it was going to be bad," Barnes said, while wearing a walking boot on his sprained left ankle at Monday morning's shootaround.

But he said his ankle is "feeling better each and every day" and he remains a very "positive, happy human being."  

Meanwhile, Gary Trent Jr., who has a non-COVID illness, and Thaddeus Young, who has a sprained left thumb, are both listed as "doubtful."

Centre Khem Birch, who absorbed an elbow to the face from Embiid, told reporters Sunday that the Raptors need to be "more physical" in their next game. 

Still, fans insist the team can win despite the battering the Raps have taken.

"We're the Raptors, we always come from behind," said Shervin Ejtehadi, referring to the many times the team battled back to win the