What to know
- The Raptors overcame a blown 15-point lead and a tense overtime finish to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-110 in Game 6.
- RJ Barrett delivered the game-winning basket with seconds remaining, echoing memories of Kawhi Leonard’s iconic 2019 playoff shot.
- Scottie Barnes led Toronto with 25 points, while Barrett and Ja’Kobe Walter added 24 each in a balanced offensive effort.
- The series is now tied 3-3, with Game 7 set for Sunday night in Cleveland.
Toronto Raptors fans are still buzzing with excitement after a close game that ended with a narrow win for the home team.
On Friday night, the Raps took on the Cleveland Cavaliers at home for game six of their playoff series. Despite heading into the second-half of the game with a 15-point lead, things were looking dicey in the second half, especially when Toronto was down by a single point, and Jamal Shead missed a free throw with a minuscule 25.6 seconds left on the clock, which had gone into overtime.
But Mississauga sweetheart RJ Barrett was the hero of the evening, scoring three points with just seconds on the clock, taking Toronto ahead by two points. His shot bounced off the rim twice before sinking through the net. While Cleveland still had a little over a second left to secure the win, the Cavs’ Evan Mobley missed the shot, leading to Toronto securing a 110-112 win.
It was also a big game for Toronto fan favourite Scottie Barnes, who finished the game with 25 points, while Ja’Kobe Walter and Barrett added 24 points, and Colin Murray-Boyles snagged 17.
Raptors snag the win: fans react
Torontonians are fiercely protective of their NBA team, but not without criticism. Online, some people have been celebrating the win well into Saturday, and many fans are comparing Barrett’s shot on Friday with the legendary basket from Kawhi Leonard during the 2019 playoffs, which bounced on the rim four times before going through the net after the final buzzer.
“These 3-point bounces in Toronto need to be investigated, that reminded me of the Kawhi shot,” one fan posted to X.
“RJ picked the PERFECT time to become a superhero,” another commented.
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“Not even a Raptors fan, and that was a thing of beauty.”
“Hopefully the mandem can win in Cleveland! Go RAPS!!!”
Even LeBron James shared support for the team, giving Barrett his flowers by name.
“Thank you to RJ Barrett, appreciate it, haven’t seen a shot in Toronto like that since Kawhi,” James says in a clip posted to the Raptors’ social media.
LeBron said it himself… them rims different
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) May 2, 2026
RJ just proved it again 😤 pic.twitter.com/Y9DWVD4sOF
The series, now tied 3-3, will go to game seven on Sunday night in Cleveland. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The Raptors will be hosting a tailgate party at Maple Leaf Square, allowing local fans to soak in the collective effervescence that can come with being a sports fan in Toronto.
Gates to the square open at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, closing at the end of halftime.
Attendees will need a free mobile ticket to access the party. Fans can enter a draw for up to two non-transferable passes per game on Raptors Fan Access via the team’s mobile app starting at 9 a.m. on May 2.
