On April 26, 2026, the Toronto Raptors eked out a 93-89 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers at Scotiabank Arena, evening their first-round playoff matchup at 2-2. It was a game defined by brutal perimeter shooting, tense late-game exchanges and two standout performances: Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes finished with 23 points apiece. Despite making only 31 of 97 attempts from the floor (a 32 percent field-goal percentage) and connecting on 4 of 30 three-pointers (13.3 percent), Toronto found enough stops and timely free throws to finish the day with the win.
The series now shifts to Cleveland for Game 5 on April 29, 2026, with Game 6 scheduled back in Toronto on Friday. The contest on April 26 showed both teams trying to reset after momentum swings earlier in the series: Cleveland had started 2-0, but Toronto answered with a dominant Game 3 before grinding out this low-scoring Game 4.
How the game unfolded
The early going was cold for Toronto, as the Raptors missed their first 11 three-point attempts and managed just 7-for-26 shooting in the first quarter. Cleveland carved out a lead while Donovan Mitchell and James Harden looked for rhythm after big starts earlier in the series. Toronto’s offense finally found a burst late in the second quarter when Brandon Ingram hit a couple of triples to help a 10-0 run that produced a 38-36 halftime edge. That sequence gave the home crowd hope even as both sides continued to struggle from deep.
Key contributors and statistics
Scottie Barnes finished with a strong all-around line — 23 points, nine rebounds and six assists — and made crucial free throws in the final seconds. Brandon Ingram matched Barnes with 23 points and added six rebounds; he accounted for three of Toronto’s four made three-pointers. R.J. Barrett chipped in 18 points and eight rebounds, while rookie forward Collin Murray-Boyles supplied a reserve double-double with 15 points and 10 boards. Those contributions proved decisive given Toronto’s miserable long-range touch.
Cleveland’s late push
The Cavaliers rallied behind Donovan Mitchell, who scored 20 points and poured in 12 during the fourth quarter, and James Harden, who added 19 points and served as Cleveland’s primary playmaker. Mitchell’s four three-pointers matched Toronto’s entire team output from beyond the arc. Center Jarrett Allen hauled in 15 rebounds, though he was limited offensively with just three points. Evan Mobley contributed nine boards and eight points, while Sam Merrill provided a crucial outside shot late in the fourth that briefly cut Toronto’s lead to two.
Clutch moments and the final minute
The closing sequence unfolded as a series of decisive plays and free throws. With about 20.1 seconds left, Barnes made two free throws to bring the Raptors ahead 90-87. Donovan Mitchell missed a contested three on the next trip and Toronto rebounded, but a late scramble allowed R.J. Barrett to split a pair of free throws with 6.3 seconds left, extending the lead to 91-87. A Sam Merrill jumper—after video review ruled it a two-point shot—sliced the margin to 91-89 with roughly 4.2 seconds remaining.
Sealing the win
With 3.8 seconds left, Barnes returned to the line and calmly converted two more free throws to put the game out of reach at 93-89. Cleveland had one last chance but could not convert on the desperate possession, and Toronto was able to celebrate a home victory despite its offensive inefficiency. The final moments underscored the difference: Toronto made its late free throws and secured key rebounds, while Cleveland’s late opportunities went unclaimed.
What this means for the series
By evening the series at 2-2, Toronto shifted psychological momentum back to neutral and forced a pivotal swing of games into Cleveland for Game 5 on April 29, 2026. The matchup has leaned on adjustments and execution more than shooting accuracy; both teams have shown the ability to dominate at times and sputter at others. If the pattern holds, the next two games will hinge on who can sustain defensive intensity, limit turnovers and make critical shots in the final minutes.
For fans and analysts, the April 26 game will be remembered as a low-scoring, high-tension affair in which free-throw execution and rebounding decided the outcome. As the series heads to Cleveland, attention will focus on whether the Raptors can translate this late-game composure on the road, and whether the Cavaliers find a consistent offensive touch from their core scorers when it matters most.
