Cavaliers Edge Raptors 125-120 in Game 5, Take 3-2 Series Lead

The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Toronto Raptors 125-120 in Game 5 of their first-round NBA playoff series on April 29, 2026, in Cleveland. The win gave the Cavaliers a 3-2 lead in the series. Game 6 is scheduled for Friday night in Toronto.

Dennis Schroder scored 19 points for the Cavaliers in Game 5, with 11 of those points coming in the fourth quarter. Evan Mobley scored 23 points and hit two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. James Harden also scored 23 points, while Donovan Mitchell added 19 points.

RJ Barrett led the Raptors with 25 points in Game 5. Ja’Kobe Walter scored 20 points, and Jamal Shead contributed 18 points off the bench. The Raptors led 74-67 at halftime and scored the first five points of the third quarter.

The Cavaliers trailed 103-100 entering the fourth quarter. They then scored the first eight points of the fourth quarter to seize control.

The Raptors missed their first 11 shots in the fourth quarter and shot 7 of 28 from the field in that period. In contrast, the Cavaliers made 7 of their first 11 shots in the fourth quarter and finished 9 of 19 from the field. Brandon Ingram left the game in the second quarter with right heel inflammation.

Scottie Barnes was kneed in the quadriceps by Thomas Bryant in the first half. Barnes scored 17 points total, with just 3 points in the second half. The Cavaliers committed 15 turnovers in the game, which the Raptors converted into 28 points.

Ten of those turnovers came in the first half, resulting in 23 points for the Raptors. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said, 'This was a step for us from a mental toughness point of view. I thought we showed good poise and resiliency.

Donovan Mitchell said of Evan Mobley, 'He’s ready for those moments. He wants those moments. He works relentlessly on the 3-ball. Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said, 'I would not just blame the fourth quarter.

RJ Barrett said, 'For the most part, I thought we had this game. We played good enough to win. Just in the fourth quarter, they played a little better. What can you do? It’s the playoffs. Now, it’s do or die.

Give them credit. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson also said, 'In the second half, I think ball-handling and Dennis helped relieve some of the pressure off (Mitchell) and (Harden) so I think that was part of it.