Raptors’ RJ Barrett’s season-saving shot forces Game 7 vs the Cavaliers
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Clutch isn’t even enough to describe Toronto Raptors star RJ Barrett’s season-saving shot.
Trailing 3-2 in the series, the Raptors trailed the Cleveland Cavaliers 110-109 with 10.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter at Scotiabank Arena on Friday night.
Barrett passed the ball to Scottie Barnes, the Raptors needed a basket to save the season. Barnes dribbled to the free throw line and then passed the ball back to Barrett, who was waiting at the top of the goal.
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RJ Barrett of the Toronto Raptors celebrates with fans after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 of the first round NBA playoffs on May 1, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Barrett hit a 3-pointer that should have gone on target if the Raptors could force a Game 7 and extend their season. Instead, Barrett found the back of the rim and the ball bounced almost two meters away.
Then the ball fell into the net and the Raptors took the lead 112-110 with 1.2 seconds left. Evan Mobley had a chance to win for the Cavaliers, but his three-pointer bounced off the face of the basket as time expired.
Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said he felt like Barrett’s shot would stay in the air forever.
“It only lasted half a second, but it felt like an eternity,” Rajakovic said. “I’m glad the shot fell for him, for this team, for this city.”
Barrett said he knew the ball had a chance to fall because of where it hit the rim.
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Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett scores the winning basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime in game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on May 1, 2026. (Nick Turchiaro/Imagn Images)
“I thought it was still good because it went up straight,” Barrett said. “When you go straight up you have a chance.”
Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson had a more succinct reaction to Barrett’s season-saving shot.
“Sometimes the basketball gods are not on your side,” Atkinson said.
The Cavaliers now aim to turn the page and win Game 7 at home.
“That’s why you fight so hard to get home court advantage,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said. “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. This is the playoffs, that’s what it’s all about. We’ve got to regroup and get ready for Sunday’s game.”
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Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett reacts after scoring the winning basket in overtime against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario on May 1, 2026. (Nick Turchiaro/Imagn Images)
“Protect the home court,” Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell said. “It doesn’t matter if we lose by 30 or 2, protect your home court. That’s all you can do.”
For Raptors fans, the scrimmage was reminiscent of an even bigger playoff basket north of the border: Kawhi Leonard’s four-jump, last-minute victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 7 of the 2019 Eastern Conference semifinals.
Raptors fans hope they can experience another special moment when the team plays the Cavaliers at 7:30 p.m.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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