RJ Barrett explains why he confronted James Harden in Game 5
Barrett had a direct message for James Harden after the game.
RJ Barrett explains why he confronted James Harden in Game 5 originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Toronto Raptors 125-120 in Game 5 on Wednesday to take a 3-2 series lead, but the game had a moment that went beyond the points.
In the final moments of the fourth quarter, Cavaliers guard James Harden approached the Raptors' bench to retrieve a stray ball. Toronto forward RJ Barrett reclaimed it. The two benches shifted closer together before everything calmed down swiftly.
It appeared to be nothing. However, Barrett wasn't finished with it, and when reporters asked about it post-game, he was explicit about how he viewed the situation. RJ Barrett on James Harden: "I take everything as disrespect.
Don't walk over to our bench and pick the ball up. " https://t. co/AuxBShSvKJ — Sports Fountain (@sportfountain) April 30, 2026 "I take everything as disrespect.