In a game that had all the drama of a classic playoff thriller, RJ Barrett etched his name into Raptors lore by sinking a go-ahead 3-pointer with just 1.2 seconds left in overtime, forcing a decisive Game 7 against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 112-110 victory on Friday night.
The Raptors, who have been known for their resilience all season, nearly let this one slip away. After building an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter, Toronto watched the Cavaliers claw back to force overtime. But Barrett’s clutch shot—a dagger from beyond the arc—silenced the crowd and set up a winner-take-all showdown in Cleveland on Sunday.
Cleveland had one last chance to extend the game, but Evan Mobley’s desperation 3-pointer clanked off the front rim, sealing the Raptors’ win and keeping their season alive. For Toronto, it was a team effort that showcased their depth and versatility.
Scottie Barnes was the engine of the offense, posting a stellar 25 points and 14 assists. He became just the eighth NBA player since 1997 to record 14 or more points and 10 or more assists in a single half of a playoff game, a testament to his growing star power. Barrett and rookie Ja’Kobe Walter each added 24 points, while Collin Murray-Boyles chipped in 17 off the bench, providing a much-needed spark.
On the Cavaliers’ side, Evan Mobley was a force in the paint with 26 points and 14 rebounds, while Donovan Mitchell poured in 24 points. James Harden, despite flirting with a triple-double (16 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists), struggled from the field, shooting just 5-for-14 and committing four turnovers. Cleveland’s sloppy play—18 turnovers that led to 25 Raptors points—proved costly, as did their inability to contain Toronto in transition, where the Raptors outscored them 20-6.
Notably, the Raptors were without forward Brandon Ingram, who sat out due to a sore right heel after leaving Wednesday’s loss early. His status for Game 7 remains uncertain, but Toronto’s bench stepped up in his absence.
With the home team winning all six games in the series so far, the Raptors will need to break that trend on the road to advance. One thing is certain: if Friday night’s thriller is any indication, Game 7 promises to be unmissable basketball.