Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors had an opportunity to pull off one of the biggest upsets of the first round of the NBA playoffs during Sunday’s Game 7 road duel against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
While the Raptors ultimately came up short, falling 114-102 after a third-quarter letdown, the undermanned squad earned the NBA world’s respect with its grit and resilience throughout the series.
Scottie Barnes, Raptors’ Hard-Fought 7-Game Series Loss vs. Cavaliers Draws Admiration
Toronto was already the underdog entering Round 1 against a more experienced Cleveland team, featuring veteran backcourt stars James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, as well as an imposing Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley-led frontcourt.
The fifth-seeded Raptors were only more disadvantaged by starting point guard Immanuel Quickley missing the entire series due to a right hamstring strain. Star wing Brandon Ingram also exited early in Game 5 due to right heel inflammation, severely hindering Toronto’s offense to close the series.
Still, behind Barnes’ two-way brilliance, shooting guard RJ Barrett stepping up offensively, and increased contributions from youngsters Collin Murray-Boyles, Ja’Kobe Walter, and Jamal Shead, the defensive-minded Raptors improbably forced a Game 7 in Cleveland.
While Barnes and Co. built an early 10-point lead on Sunday, they ran out of gas in the second half as they were unable to match the Cavaliers’ offensive onslaught. After entering halftime tied 49-49, they were outscored 38-19 in the third quarter, with Allen dominating the interior against their undersized unit.
After Toronto’s season-ending 12-point defeat, the NBA community on X largely saluted the upstart Eastern Conference team’s series-long fight.
“A fun series that unexpectedly went the distance. In the Raptors’ wins alone, we got unlikely hero Jamison Battle saving the season, first team to win a playoff game shooting 32%, and The Barrett Bounce. Barnes’ superstar coronation, CMB and the kids blossoming. A lot to build on,” TSN’s Josh Lewenberg gushed.
A fun series that unexpectedly went the distance. In the Raptors wins alone, we got unlikely hero Jamison Battle saving the season, first team to win a playoff game shooting 32%, and The Barrett Bounce. Barnes’ superstar coronation, CMB and the kids blossoming. A lot to build on.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) May 4, 2026
“Young Raps fought like hell to extend this series a lot longer than most ppl expected at full strength, let alone without IQ (& basically w/o BI). Took a really good Cavs team the distance. We learned a lot about these guys. Mostly good things, but also reminded of roster flaws,” The Score’s Joseph Casciaro commended the Raptors.
Young Raps fought like hell to extend this series a lot longer than most ppl expected at full strength, let alone without IQ (& basically w/o BI). Took a really good Cavs team the distance. We learned a lot about these guys. Mostly good things, but also reminded of roster flaws
— Joseph Casciaro (@JosephCasciaro) May 4, 2026
“No IQ. Ingram misses time + struggles. Jakob [Poeltl] was a shell of a player, and you push the highest payroll in the NBA to 7 games. Scottie proved his playoff mettle as a superstar. RJ was overextended but showed his importance,” The Athletic’s Esfandiar Baraheni raved.
“CMB/Ja’Kobe/Shead proved they’re playoff-ready. I think Darko [Rajaković] also was great at pushing the right buttons in this series. A lot of great things to build on. Also, a lot of questions on how to do it. It will be a fascinating summer,” Esfandiar continued.
No IQ. Ingram misses time + struggles. Jakob was a shell of a player and you push the highest payroll in the NBA to 7 games. Scottie proved his playoff mettle as a superstar. RJ was overextended but showed his importance. CMB/Ja’Kobe/Shead proved they’re playoff ready. I think… https://t.co/Zq0yrNwE7U
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) May 4, 2026
“I gotta also give it to the Raptors and their coaching staff. They played hard as hell. Undermanned, undersized, and underrated. I can admire their grit and toughness. Can’t say nothing bad anymore about Scottie Barnes’ game. Dude has turned into a great player,” Cavaliers analyst Garrett Bush applauded Toronto.
I gotta also give it to the Raptors and their coaching staff. They played hard as hell. Undermanned, undersized, and underrated. I can admire their grit and toughness. Can’t say nothing bad anymore about Scottie Barns game. Dude has turned into a great player. #Cavs
— Garrett Bush (@Gbush91) May 4, 2026
Aside from getting healthy, targeting backcourt and center upgrades will likely be high priorities for the Raptors this summer. Improved shot creation, rebounding, and rim protection around Barnes and the rest of their young core should go a long way toward building on what many deemed a highly successful season.
