NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Clutch doesn’t even begin to describe Toronto Raptors star RJ Barrett’s game-winning shot.
The Raptors, down 3-2 in the series, trailed the Cleveland Cavaliers 110-109 with 10.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter at Scotiabank Arena on Friday night.
Barrett handed the ball to Scottie Barnes, with the Raptors needing a basket to save their season. Barnes dribbled to the free throw line, then returned the ball to Barrett, who was waiting at the top of the key.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
RJ Barrett of the Toronto Raptors celebrates with fans after his victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 of the first round of the NBA playoffs in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, May 1, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Barrett launched a 3-pointer, a shot that needed to find the back of the net if the Raptors wanted to force a Game 7 and extend their season. Instead, Barrett found the back of the rim and the ball bounced nearly seven feet away.
The ball then came down and fell through the net, giving the Raptors a 112-110 lead with 1.2 seconds remaining. Evan Mobley had a chance to win it for the Cavaliers, but his 3-point shot bounced off the front of the rim as time expired.
Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said it felt like Barrett’s shot was in the air for an eternity.
“It only lasted half a second, but it seemed like an eternity,” Rajakovic said. “I was happy for him, for this team, for this city, that the shot fell.”
Barrett said he knew he had a chance because of where the ball landed on the rim.
FORMER WIZARDS STAR JOHN WALL RETURNS TO WASHINGTON AS PRESIDENT OF HOWARD BASKETBALL OPERATIONS
Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett scored the game-winning basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during overtime of Game 6 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 straight,” Barrett said. “When it goes straight up, you have a chance.”
Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson had a more succinct reaction to Barrett’s game-saving shot.
“Sometimes the basketball gods aren’t with you,” Atkinson said.
The Cavaliers now look 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. It’s the playoffs, that’s what it’s about. We have to recover and get ready for Sunday’s game.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett reacts after scoring the game-winning basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime in Game 6 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 court,” Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell said. “It doesn’t matter if we lose by 30 or two, protect the field. That’s all you can do.”
For Raptors fans, the friendly rebound is reminiscent of an even bigger playoff basket north of the border: Kawhi Leonard’s four-rebound, buzzer-beating game-winner against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 7 of the 2019 Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Raptors fans are hoping they can have another special memory when the team takes on the Cavaliers at 7:30 p.m. ET.
