TORONTO – RJ Barrett has been waiting his whole life, all 25 years, to play post-season basketball in Toronto.
The wait is finally over.
Barrett, from Mississauga, Ont., will probably be within the starting lineup on Thursday night when the Raptors host the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of their playoff series. It’s the primary time Toronto has been within the playoffs in 4 years, and Barrett has only been with the team since December 2023.
“I feel like just a little kid today, man,” said Barrett after morning shootaround at OVO Athletic Centre. “I get to go play, not only in front of all of the fans, but in front of my family and friends. I take pride in it. I’ve at all times been saying, like, just being here, I would like to be on a winning team.
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“I can’t walk around saying, like, ‘I’m on the Raptors, and we’ve a terrible record.’ That’s embarrassing, but I’m excited to simply play in front of the group, the fans, family and friends.”
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The Cavaliers lead the best-of-seven series 2-0 after winning the primary two games in Cleveland. Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena will even host Game 4 on Sunday afternoon.
If a Game 5 is obligatory, the series will shift back to Cleveland’s Rocket Arena on Wednesday.
“It’s gonna be crazy in there tonight. The atmosphere is gonna be nuts. I’m excited,” said Barrett of playing in Toronto. “I had trouble sleeping, I used to be so excited.
“But this may be a terrific opportunity for us to play hard in front of our fans, and get a great win. Down two games. Get one tonight, and it’s a series.”
Second-year guard Jamal Shead said that the Raptors need the support of Canadian basketball fans each inside and outdoors of Scotiabank Arena.
“I believe the message is obvious is that we’d like them,” he said beside Toronto’s practice court. “I believe Cleveland had a great showing, but our fans are way higher.
“It’s time for them to indicate it, and it’s time for us to indicate that we’ve got some fight in us.”
The 2 teammates had differing views on home-court advantage, the concept that playing in your individual arena offers some form of competitive edge.
“I believe being in Scotia is gonna make a difference,” said Shead. “I believe that twiddling with our fans behind us is gonna make a very big difference for us on this game.”
Barrett, after an extended pause, said he disagreed.
“Me personally. I don’t care. I like being on the road, being a villain,” said Barrett. “For our team, it would give us some juice, some life. Each time you might have that crowd there cheering for you, it definitely feels good.
“It feels good, and particularly on this playoff environment, it’s a tricky environment.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 23, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press