The NBA's second-best team the Toronto Raptors lost for the second straight time against the Charlotte Hornets 113-111 Friday night. The loss was notable for again being decided by a three-pointer from Hornets guard Jeremy Lamb (albeit at a more humane distance and with a lot less luck) and also for how unfortunate Kawhi Leonard's game-winner ended.

With 3.3 seconds left on the clock, Leonard received the inbound pass on the right wing and pulled up for his customary baseline jumper where he's known to nail clutch shots regularly. But instead of hitting nylon, the ball just wedged in between the board and the cylinder. An anti-climactic end for the Raps against a team that they could very well face in the first round of the playoffs.

Article Continues Below
More Toronto Raptors News
Duke Blue Devils guard Kon Knueppel (7) shoots the ball against Alabama Crimson Tide center Clifford Omoruyi (11) during the second half in the East Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center.
Ranking 5 best Kon Knueppel destinations in 2025 NBA DraftJulian Ojeda ·
Toronto Maple Leafs President and Alternate Governor Brendan Shanahan watched the game Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at Scotiabank Arena
Why Brendan Shanahan’s exit from Maple Leafs could be good news for RaptorsAlex House ·
Ranking 5 best Darius Garland trade destinations if Cavs blow it up
Ranking 5 best Darius Garland trade destinations if Cavs blow it upJulian Ojeda ·
Collin Murray-Boyles, Noa Essengue, Khaman Maluach in the middle, Head coach Darko Rajakovic, and GM Bobby Webster around them, Toronto Raptors wallpaper in the background
Toronto Raptors’ 3 best options for No. 9 pick in 2025 NBA DraftEnzo Flojo ·
Toronto Raptors Vice-Chairman and Team President Masai Ujiri speaks to the media during media day at Scotiabank Area.
Raptors president Masai Ujiri’s ‘crazy’ realization after Mavericks land No. 1 pickJaren Kawada ·
Kevin Durant and RJ Barrett both in Mavericks jerseys
2 early Dallas Mavericks trade targets in 2025 NBA offseasonSpencer See ·

The Raptors wrapped up the season series down 2-1 as a result and whether they believe these wins are a fluke or a bad matchup in the vein of the Golden State Warriors upsetting the Dallas Mavericks in 2007, the Raps will probably tackle whoever ends up with the seventh seed head-on… and for good reason.

Despite being known for their disappointing playoff performances, that reputation is likely to be thing of the past after Toronto parted ways with coach Dwane Casey (promoting his assistant Nick Nurse) and then replacing DeMar DeRozan with Leonard (a proven playoff performer with a championship in his belt) and adding a grizzled (no pun intended) postseason veteran in Marc Gasol.

It also helps that LeBron James isn't in the East or the playoffs anymore so the Raptors are confident of their chances this time around.