Twitter Gold: RJ Barrett Carves His Name Into NBA Playoff History
What a night for Barrett and the Raptors.
TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 1: RJ Barrett #9 & Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors celebrate after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Round One Game Six of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 1, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images W ell, if you were paying attention to the NBA Playoffs Friday night, you’ll most likely agree with us that there’s no question about what today’s Gold will be.
With the seconds running down in overtime, RJ Barrett got a pass out at the top of the key from Toronto teammate Scottie Barnes, and put up a long three. It took a very high bounce off the rim, which was straight out of Hollywood. It seemed to go up, and up, and up…and by the time it came down, more than another full second had come off the clock, making it next to impossible for Cleveland to top that shot.
Making it even sweeter? Barrett is playing in his hometown. Okay, he’s actually from the suburb of Mississauga, but big whoop.
He’s a hometown kid who people will be talking about for years after that shot. You may remember that a few years ago, Barrett was criticized for his poor outside shooting. We linked to a video of him just grinding in the gym, trying to refine his shot.