Thanks in large part to a last second buzzer-beater from Kawhi Leonard, the Toronto Raptors are on to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second time in franchise history.
Leonard and the Raptors squared off against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday for an epic Game 7 showdown. It was a back-and-forth battle to the end, filled with 10 lead changes and six ties.
With the score tied at 90 apiece and just over four seconds remaining on the fourth quarter clock, Raptors head coach Nick Nurse took a timeout to draw up a final play. It went to Leonard, who proceeded to knock down one of the biggest shots of his career.
🚨 THE SHOT. THE BOUNCE. THE WIN. 🚨
Kawhi Leonard drops in the #TissotBuzzerBeater to lift the @Raptors to the Game 7 win! #ThisIsYourTime #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/bpRx7GXiKu
— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2019
“It was great,” Leonard told ESPN after Game 7. “That's something I never experienced before, Game 7, a game-winning shot. It was a blessing to be able to get to that point and make that shot and feel that moment.”
Leonard seemed to be on the attack in Sunday's Game 7 win, and the Raptors needed it. In 43 minutes of action, the former 15th overall pick racked up 41 points on 16-of-39 shooting from the field (2-of-9 from beyond the arc), eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
According to a report from Justin Kubatko of StatMuse, Leonard's 39 shot attempts were the second-most in a Game 7 in NBA postseason history. Only the great Elgin Baylor took more (40 attempts on April 18th, 1962).
Kawhi Leonard attempted 39 field goals last night, the second-highest total in a Game 7 in NBA postseason history. Elgin Baylor holds the record with 40 attempts on Apr. 18, 1962.
— Justin Kubatko (@jkubatko) May 13, 2019
Leonard and the Raptors will now face the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals. Game 1 is set to tip at 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday night, with TNT having live broadcast coverage.
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