WATCH: RJ Barrett Keeps Raptors' Season Alive with Miraculous 3-Pointer to Stun Cavaliers in OT

Dramatic Finish Propels Raptors to Game 7

In a stunning turn of events, RJ Barrett's game-winning 3-pointer with just 1.2 seconds remaining in overtime kept the Toronto Raptors' playoff hopes alive and pushed their series against the Cleveland Cavaliers to a decisive Game 7. The thrilling finish came after a nail-biting contest where the Raptors nearly forfeited their advantage, nearly falling into elimination.

The Buzzer-Beater that Changed Everything

Barrett's unexpected heroics unfolded as the Raptors faced a challenging moment, having squandered an 11-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. With a score of 110-109 in favor of the Cavaliers, the stakes were high. As the clock ticked down, Barrett launched the critical shot, achieving a miraculous bounce off the rim before sinking the ball through the net and sending the home crowd at Scotiabank Arena into a frenzy. This scene harkened back to Kawhi Leonard's iconic buzzer-beater against the 76ers in the 2019 playoffs, underscoring the arena's reputation for dramatic finales.

RJ BARRETT HITS THE GO-AHEAD 3 IN OT TO WIN IT FOR THE RAPTORS AND FORCE GAME 7 🚨
— NBA (@NBA) May 2, 2026

Cleveland's Missed Opportunities

The Cavaliers were left to lament what might have been. In the closing moments of regulation, they had a golden opportunity to secure the victory. An inbound pass to Dennis Schröder saw the team struggle under pressure, culminating in a crucial turnover. The ball was mishandled and tapped out of bounds, allowing Toronto's Barrett the chance he needed to seal the game in their favor.

Looking Ahead to Game 7

With the series now returning to Cleveland, the Cavaliers will be under pressure to maintain the trend of the home team winning every matchup so far in this series. The team must move past the emotional toll of witnessing a game slip away at the hands of Barrett’s clutch shot. Meanwhile, the Raptors look to build off this momentum, hoping that luck continues to favor them in their quest for playoff advancement.

As the tension builds heading into the decisive Game 7, the basketball world will be eagerly awaiting to see if the Raptors can continue their unexpected run or if the Cavaliers will reclaim control and avoid further playoff heartbreak.