The Toronto Raptors look to end playoff curse against the Cleveland Cavaliers in a do-or-die Game 7.
The Toronto Raptors have been one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Written off before their first round series began, they dropped the first two games at home and looked destined for a swift exit at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Instead, they clawed their way back, winning Games 3 and 4 in Toronto, dropping Game 5, and then forcing Game 7 on RJ Barrett’s miraculous three-pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining in overtime to win Game 6, 112-110.
A team that many wrote off in the playoffs is now one win away from advancing to the second round. But standing squarely in their way is a history that has haunted this franchise for nearly a decade.
A Skid That Won’t Go Away
Across all prior playoff meetings with the Cavs, the Raptors hold a 5-15 all-time record and have never won a playoff game in Cleveland (10-0).
The Cavaliers have won all three previous playoff series against the Raptors, including back-to-back sweeps in 2017 and 2018. That era of dominance was so complete it birthed the “LeBronto” moniker. It’s a term that came to symbolize Cleveland’s psychological and tactical hold over a Raptors franchise that was enjoying its greatest period of regular-season success at the time.
The 2018 sweep ultimately led to the firing of Coach of the Year Dwane Casey and a complete franchise overhaul that eventually delivered a championship. But only after LeBron James left for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Now, eight years removed from that low point, the Raptors must go to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and win a Game 7 in Cleveland to finally break the cycle. The series is tied 3-3 heading into Sunday’s decisive game, with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock.
Scottie Barnes has been the most complete player in this series, finishing Game 6 with 25 points, seven rebounds, 14 assists, three steals, and three blocks. He has been the engine behind every meaningful Toronto run in this series, and his ability to control pace, defend multiple positions, and create for others gives Darko Rajaković a genuine foundational piece to build a Game 7 game plan around.
As for the series’ most impactful role player, that honor goes to rookie Collin Murray-Boyle, 15.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in six games. Critically, it was Murray-Boyles who forced the Cleveland turnover that set up Barrett’s game-winning shot in overtime.
There is, however, a significant concern that could hinder the team. Brandon Ingram missed Game 6 entirely with a sore right heel. His availability for Game 7 is uncertain, and his absence removes one of Toronto’s primary shot creators from the equation at the worst possible moment.
The Raptors have overcome a 0-2 deficit, a 2-3 series disadvantage, and a fourth-quarter collapse that nearly ended their season in regulation. Now they have to take that momentum on the road and make history of their own.