Toronto erupts: Barrett’s wild triple sends series to Game 7

Rowan Alexander Barrett, RJ, was born 25 years ago in Toronto, the city where he grew up dreaming, it’s easy to imagine, of hitting game-winning shots in a Raptors jersey, with the city at his feet.

He was 18 when, in 2019, Kawhi Leonard made the most famous shot in franchise history, in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers of Joel Embiid and Jimmy Butler.

Without that basket, the franchise’s first title, won weeks later, might never have happened. The Raptors were founded in 1995, five years before Barrett was born. Days after that championship, he was selected third overall in the draft, going from Duke to the New York Knicks.

Since then, his career has been inconsistent, with moments of stardom mixed with stretches of disappointment. In 2023, he returned to the Raptors, his Raptors, and on May 1, 2026, he fulfilled that childhood dream: a last-second three-pointer in overtime to give his team a 112–110 win, avoid elimination, and send the series to a dramatic Game 7.

So far, no road team has won in the first six games. Tomorrow, it’s all or nothing.

A shot for eternity in Toronto

The Toronto Raptors, who looked finished after going down 2–0, have shown a resilience that at least earns them this chance to shake Cleveland. They’ve lost all ten playoff games they’ve ever played there, most during the era of LeBron James, their longtime tormentor and that of the entire Eastern Conference.

This is a team that won 46 games (46–36) by maximizing limited resources. They were very reliable against weaker opponents, which matters in the regular season, but consistently fell short against top contenders.

And they’re playing these decisive games without two key players: creator Immanuel Quickley and scorer Brandon Ingram, whose availability for Game 7 remains uncertain.

Even so, they’ve made it this far, pushed hard in Game 5, and avoided collapse in Game 6 against Cavaliers team that once again looked fragile and disappointing.

After trailing for more than 35 minutes, and falling behind by 15 in the third quarter and 11 in the fourth, the Cleveland Cavaliers finally showed flashes of what they should be: a team with a very high ceiling.

A late surge (12–23 run), capped by a smooth finish from Evan Mobley (26 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists), tied the game with 11.6 seconds remaining. Toronto failed to score on the next possession, sending the game into a tense overtime.

In the final 30 seconds of OT, Cleveland led 110–108. Jamal Shead missed a free throw (109–110), and then, with a semifinal spot almost secured, Dennis Schroder made a costly mistake, a risky jump pass that Evan Mobley couldn’t control.

A needless turnover with 10 seconds left gave Barrett the final possession.

He pulled up for a straightaway three. The ball hit the rim, bounced high into the air, over 6.5 feet, and dropped cleanly through the net. An obvious echo of Kawhi’s shot, as if it were meant to be.

Mobley missed the final attempt, and the series is tied 3–3.

The Raptors once again built their performance on non-negotiable defense, physicality, and length across nearly every position. making life extremely difficult for a passive (too passive) James Harden and Donovan Mitchell.

Scottie Barnes, who played nearly 48 minutes, finished with 25 points, 14 assists, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 blocks. The do-it-all forward has arguably been the best player in the series. In the first half alone, he was responsible, through scoring and playmaking, for 39 of his team’s 61 points. Alongside Barrett (24 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists), they combined to generate 74 of Toronto’s 112 total points.

The Raptors continue to find production everywhere, leading the playoffs in scoring from first- and second-year players. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles has been a major presence inside, while Ja’Kobe Walter delivered from deep this time (4/9, 24 points).

For Cleveland, concerns are growing. Harden finished with 16 points and four turnovers. Mitchell scored 24 but needed 26 shots (2/10 from three) and continues to struggle near the rim against Toronto’s length. The supporting cast has faded, rotations are questionable, and a team that began the season with Finals expectations now looks far from that level, especially mentally.

For now, their focus is to hold home court and avoid a collapse in Game 7 that could derail the entire project and send them into a summer full of difficult questions.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.