Barrett banks 3-pointer at buzzer to force Raptors-Cavs Game 7
Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett drained a 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left to secure a 112-110 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 of their first-round NBA playoff series on May 1 at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors trailed 110-109 with 10.9 seconds remaining, down 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Barrett inbounded to Scottie Barnes, received the return pass at the top of the key, and launched a shot that struck the back of the rim high before bouncing nearly seven feet up and falling through.
Cleveland's Evan Mobley missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer. Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic described the moment: "It was only half a second, but it felt like an eternity. I was happy for him, for this team, for this city, that the shot went down." Barrett added, "I thought it was still good because it went straight up. When it goes straight up, you have a chance." Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said, "Sometimes the basketball gods aren’t with you."
The shot evoked Kawhi Leonard's four-bounce buzzer-beater against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 7 of the 2019 Eastern Conference semifinals, another iconic playoff moment for Toronto fans.
Game 7 is set for Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Atkinson emphasized home-court advantage: "This is why you fight so hard to get home-court advantage. We’ve got to recover and get ready for Sunday’s game." Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell said, "Protect home court. That’s all you can do."
