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Donovan Mitchell and James Harden of the Cleveland Cavaliers during an NBA game.

The Cleveland Cavaliers suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Toronto Raptors in Game 6 of their first-round playoff matchup. The Cavaliers were on their way to winning in overtime, but RJ Barrett’s shot went in despite a huge bounce off the rim.

With 1.2 seconds remaining, the Cavs still had a chance to win it at the buzzer. The Raptors played amazing defense off the inbounds, forcing the ball to Evan Mobley’s hands. Mobley came up short as the Cavs fell short 112-110 and the series returns to Cleveland for Game 7.

Donovan Mitchell was denied on the play by multiple Raptors players, including Scottie Barnes and Jamal Shead.

NBA Admits Making Mistakes Late Against Cleveland Cavaliers

GettyDonovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts from the court against the Toronto Raptors during the third quarter in Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 01, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

While the Cavaliers could have done a better job in Game 6, they were on the wrong end of two mistakes from referees in the fourth quarter.

According to the NBA’s official L2M report released on Saturday, the officials should have called a defensive 3-second violation on Collin Murray-Boyles at the 1:46 mark of overtime.

“Murray-Boyles (TOR) fails to fully clear the lane and is in the paint for longer than three seconds without imminently actively guarding an opponent,” the report stated.

If the referees called it, the Cavaliers would have gotten a bonus free throw that would have given them a one-point lead. James Harden did hit a jump shot to give the Cavs a 108-106 lead after the incorrect non-call.

The second mistake was another incorrect non-call with 33.7 seconds remaining in overtime. RJ Barrett should have been called for a five-second violation.

“Barrett (TOR) takes longer than 5 seconds to release the throw-in,” the report stated.

The Cavaliers were ahead 110-108 when the mistake happened. They would have the ball back and possibly have a shot at icing the game.

Instead, the Raptors trimmed the lead to one and won the game one play later courtesy of Barrett’s 3-point shot.

Cavaliers-Raptors Game 7 Preview

GettyJames Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives around Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena on April 29, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio.

It has been a back-and-forth series between the Cavaliers and Raptors. Both teams are 3-0 at home, so the Cavs have an advantage in that regard.

Game 7 will be played at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Sunday, May 3. It has a start time of 7:30 p.m. EST.

The Cavs are also set to have a healthy lineup, while the Raptors could be without Brandon Ingram. The two-time All-Star missed Game 6 because of a heel injury suffered in Game 5. He’s currently listed as questionable for Game 7.

This will the Cavs’ ninth Game 7 in its franchise history, with a record of 6-2. They won their last Game 7 against the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Raptors are 3-3 in Game 7s in their franchise history. Their last Game 7 was in the second round of the 2020 NBA playoffs against the Toronto Raptors.

Historically, the Raptors have never beaten the Cavaliers in a playoff series. They lost in 2016, 2017 and 2018 at the hands of LeBron James.