Raptors Hold Off Cavaliers 93-89, Even Series at 2-2

The Toronto Raptors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 93-89 on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Scotiabank Arena, with Scottie Barnes leading all scorers for Toronto with 23 points while adding nine rebounds, six assists, and three blocks in a result that evened the first-round playoff series at 2-2.

Quarter-by-quarter breakdown

Cleveland opened the game by taking a 17-14 lead after the first quarter as both teams struggled to find a rhythm offensively. The Cavaliers were slightly steadier early, while Toronto had difficulty converting from the field.

The Raptors responded in the second quarter and outscored Cleveland 24-19 to take a 38-36 lead into halftime. Toronto began to generate more second-chance opportunities and got enough half-court production to shift the game back in its favor.

The third quarter ended even at 22-22, keeping the Raptors in front by two entering the final period. Neither side could create much separation, and the game continued to be defined by missed shots, rebounding battles, and trips to the free throw line.

In the fourth, Toronto edged Cleveland 33-31 to close out the 93-89 win. The Cavaliers made a late push behind Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, but the Raptors produced enough offense in the closing minutes and did just enough defensively to hold off the comeback attempt.

Key performers

Scottie Barnes, Raptors: Barnes delivered the most complete performance of the night with 23 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and three blocks. In a game where efficient scoring was hard to find, his all-around impact stood out.

Collin Murray-Boyles, Raptors: Murray-Boyles led Toronto with 10 rebounds and helped the Raptors control key possessions on the glass. Toronto finished with a 59-56 rebounding edge.

Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers: Mitchell led Cleveland with 20 points and remained a central part of the Cavaliers’ offense throughout the game, especially in the fourth quarter.

James Harden, Cavaliers: Harden added 19 points and a game-high eight assists, giving Cleveland needed playmaking in a low-scoring playoff setting.

Jarrett Allen, Cavaliers: Allen pulled down 15 rebounds and gave Cleveland a strong interior presence, helping keep the Cavaliers within one possession late.

NerdSports Stat: Toronto won a playoff game while shooting just 32.0% from the field and 13.3% from three, becoming the rare team to overcome that kind of shooting night by pairing a plus-3 rebounding margin with 27 made free throws.

Game analysis

This was a grind from start to finish, and Toronto found a way through details rather than shot-making. The Raptors shot just 31-for-97 from the field and only 4-for-30 from beyond the arc, but they stayed in control by getting to the foul line 36 times and making 27 free throws. That free-throw advantage proved significant in a four-point game.

Cleveland did not shoot much better overall, finishing at 36.8% from the field, but the Cavaliers were more effective from three-point range at 10-for-40. The bigger issue for Cleveland was leaving points at the line, where it went 15-for-23. In a game with limited offensive flow, those missed free throws mattered.

The rebounding battle was nearly even, but Toronto’s 59 boards helped offset its shooting struggles. The Raptors also got the best all-around performance on the floor from Barnes, whose scoring, playmaking, and rim protection all showed up at important moments. Cleveland had solid production from Mitchell, Harden, and Allen, yet it never fully reclaimed control after Toronto’s second-quarter push.

Toronto also finished with 19 assists to Cleveland’s 15, a small but meaningful edge in a game where every efficient possession carried extra value. The Raptors were not at their best offensively, but they were organized enough late and made the extra plays needed to close.

Closing context

With the win, Toronto moved to 46-36 overall and evened this Eastern Conference first-round series at 2-2. Cleveland, which finished the regular season at 52-30, heads into Game 5 with the matchup reset to a best-of-three. For the Raptors, protecting home court kept the series alive and shifted the pressure back to the Cavaliers.

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