RJ Barrett Miracles Raptors Into Game 7 With Last-Second Heroics Against Cleveland Cavaliers

RJ Barrett hits a miraculous three-pointer at the buzzer as the Raptors edge the Cavaliers 112-110 in OT to force a Game 7.

By: AXL Media

Published: May 2, 2026, 7:54 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Basket USA

A Miracle at the Scotiabank Arena Buzzer

The Toronto Raptors kept their postseason aspirations alive through a sequence of events that mirrored the franchise’s most legendary playoff moments. With ten seconds remaining in overtime and the Raptors trailing by one, a critical turnover by Cleveland’s Dennis Schröder handed Toronto a final opportunity. Scottie Barnes, acting as the primary playmaker, drew the defensive gravity of the Cavaliers before finding RJ Barrett on the perimeter. Barrett’s high-arching shot struck the back of the rim and bounced high into the air before falling through the net as time expired. The emotional release inside the arena drew immediate comparisons to Kawhi Leonard’s iconic 2019 game-winner, saving the Raptors from elimination in spectacular fashion.

Overcoming Personnel Deficits and Early Deficits

Toronto entered the contest facing severe tactical hurdles, most notably the absence of high-scoring forward Brandon Ingram. Despite the missing offensive production, the Raptors relied on the synergy between Barrett and Scottie Barnes to combat an aggressive Cleveland interior. The Cavaliers initially took control of the tempo behind Evan Mobley, who capitalized on early mismatches to push Cleveland to a 30-24 lead. However, Toronto’s bench depth proved vital, as Collin Murray-Boyles and Sandro Mamukelashvili sparked a late first-quarter run that leveled the score and stabilized the Raptors' defensive rotations for the remainder of the half.

A Momentum Shift in the Second Quarter

The middle frames belonged to the Raptors, who utilized a transition-heavy offense to exploit Cleveland's unforced errors. Scottie Barnes showcased his athletic versatility during a sequence where he stripped the ball from James Harden, navigated the length of the court with a spin move, and finished a dunk over Jarrett Allen. This individual brilliance helped Toronto establish a ten-point lead going into the locker room, capped off by a Jamal Shead three-pointer just before the buzzer. The Raptors' ability to limit Cleveland’s second-chance points during this stretch was fundamental in building a cushion that would eventually reach 15 points in the third quarter.