Raptors’ Scottie Barnes reveals RJ Barrett’s request before game-winner vs. Magic

The Toronto Raptors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-110 in overtime in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Scotiabank, forcing a 3-3 tie in the best-of-seven matchup.

The game-changing sequence came after Cleveland’s Evan Mobley committed a turnover when the ball deflected off his leg on the sideline, giving Toronto possession. On the final overtime play, RJ Barrett buried a three-pointer with 1.2 seconds left, securing the win.

Scottie Barnes, who finished with 25 points, 14 assists, seven rebounds, three steals, and three blocks, revealed that Barrett gave him confidence before the final possession, saying “I got you” and urging him to trust him on the play.

“Really, I was just trying to score. They did a good job of stopping me. They brought help,” said Barnes of setting up Barrett’s 29-footer. “Just trusted my teammate — he already told me coming out on the court, before we passed the ball, and he was like, ‘I got you, just trust me.'”

"He [RJ] was like, 'I got you. Just trust me.'"

RJ believed in himself.
Scottie trusted his teammate.
RJ hit the go-ahead 3 to win it in OT.

Raptors force Game 7 in EPIC fashion! https://t.co/q1bt3flOr2 pic.twitter.com/8EU0sRg05I

— NBA (@NBA) May 2, 2026

The Raptors entered the contest without two starters, as Brandon Ingram (right heel inflammation) was ruled out less than two hours before tipoff and Immanuel Quickley missed the game with a strained right hamstring. Ja’Kobe Walter and Jamal Shead started in their place.

Toronto built a 10-point halftime lead behind strong early execution, but the Cavaliers steadily closed the gap in the second half. A 12-2 Cleveland run, finished off by Mobley’s dunk with 5:48 remaining in the fourth quarter, cut the Raptors’ lead to one. The game featured 11 lead changes and went to overtime after Mobley tied it 104-104 following a late Toronto shot-clock violation and a missed final attempt by Shead at the end of regulation.

In overtime, both teams traded baskets. James Harden hit a mid-range jumper to put the Cavaliers ahead momentarily, while Scottie Barnes responded to keep the Raptors level. Jamal Shead split free throws on the next possession.

Barrett ended the night with 24 points on 8-of-21 shooting, including 4-of-12 from three and 4-of-5 from the line, along with nine rebounds, three assists, and one steal.

The victory sets up a winner-take-all Game 7 on Sunday in Cleveland’s Rocket Arena, where Toronto has never won a postseason game in 10 attempts.

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