Kawhi Leonard bounced in the game-winning shot at the buzzer as the Toronto Raptors advanced to the Eastern Conference finals with a 92-90 win over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers in a heart-stopping game seven on Sunday.
The winner-take-all contest was a microcosm of the wildly unpredictable series with each team taking turns making runs or being inept until the biggest twist of all as Leonard finished it off in showstopping style.
The first game-winning field goal at the buzzer in a Game 7 in #NBAPlayoffs history!@kawhileonard CALLS SERIES in #PhantomCam! #TissotBuzzerBeater #ThisIsYourTime #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/XbiDyYqxK1
— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2019
“I got a fortuitous bounce,” said Leonard of the first game-seven buzzer beater in NBA history. “I just shot it as hard as I could. I got some loft on it and it made the ball bounce soft and it ended up going in.”
The Raptors advance to the NBA final four where they will play the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in game one of their series on Wednesday.
Kawhi takes the bump and drops in the runner! #NBAPlayoffs #WeTheNorth 85#PhilaUnite 82
3:53 to play on @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/OhonWffVFo
— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2019
With the score tied 90-90 and the game appearing to be headed to overtime, Leonard took matters into his own hands by getting open for a fall-away jumper from the right corner.
🖐️ THE REACTION! 🖐️#WeTheNorth#NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/w5CEPv7ej2
— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2019
His arching moon ball at the buzzer bounced twice on each side of the rim before dropping into the bucket to clinch the series.
Kawhi puts in 15 1st half PTS for the @Raptors on @NBAonTNT! #NBAPlayoffs #WeTheNorth 44#PhilaUnite 40 pic.twitter.com/Z5who3BE9r
— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2019
Leonard’s winning shot came after Sixers Jimmy Butler tied the contest with four seconds left.
Leonard finished with a game high 41 points while Pascal Siakam tallied 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Raptors, who are hoping to reach their first NBA finals in franchise history.
Kawhi's getting it done on both ends! 🖐️#WeTheNorth 31#PhilaUnite 25#NBAPlayoffs on @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/3Cz7ntlkYX
— NBA (@NBA) May 12, 2019
Toronto has leaned heavily on Leonard all season, and on Sunday he delivered. Serge Ibaka had 17 points, Kyle Lowry chipped in 10 and Marc Gasol grabbed 11 rebounds.
Joel Embiid led the Sixers attack with 21 points and 11 rebounds and Tobias Harris had 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Ben Simmons handles, Joel Embiid converts the 3-point play! #NBAPlayoffs #PhilaUnite 51#WeTheNorth 50
10-0 @sixers run on @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/myREJM5a5p
— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2019
The Raptors were up 89-85 with 74 seconds to play on a steal by Lowry, who set up Siakam for the layup.
Jimmy Butler steps back and is heating up in the 4th! #NBAPlayoffs#PhilaUnite 73#WeTheNorth 75
7:46 remaining on @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/EZXuXlZmDn
— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2019
Butler made one of two free throws, cutting the lead to three. With 12 seconds to play, Joel Embiid made two free throws to trim the lead to one, 89-88.
Kawhi Leonard hangs on the @Raptors reverse! 😮#WeTheNorth 44#PhilaUnite 40#NBAPlayoffs on @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/1c1yukSwvt
— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2019
Leonard had a chance to give Toronto a three-point lead but made just one of two free throws with 10 seconds remaining, and Butler tied the score 90-90 on a desperation driving layup.
Kawhi Leonard: The Origin Story
"Always wanting to win, comes from where I lived…"
The Klaw & the @Raptors host 76ers for Game 7 TONIGHT on #NBAonABC at 3:30pm/et! #WeTheNorth #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/hZBpbL23ie
— NBA (@NBA) May 12, 2019
“I was disappointed I missed that free throw,” Leonard said. “So I really wanted to make that shot. I wanted to leave it all out on the floor just in case we lost so I would have been proud of myself.”