RJ Barrett explains why he confronted James Harden in Game 5
· Yahoo Sports
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The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Toronto Raptors 125-120 in Game 5 on Wednesday to take a 3-2 series lead, but the game had a moment that went beyond the points.
In the final moments of the fourth quarter, Cavaliers guard James Harden approached the Raptors' bench to retrieve a stray ball. Toronto forward RJ Barrett reclaimed it.
The two benches shifted closer together before everything calmed down swiftly. It appeared to be nothing. However, Barrett wasn't finished with it, and when reporters asked about it post-game, he was explicit about how he viewed the situation.
RJ Barrett on James Harden:
— Sports Fountain (@sportfountain) April 30, 2026
"I take everything as disrespect. Don't walk over to our bench and pick the ball up." https://t.co/AuxBShSvKJ
"I take everything as disrespect. Don't walk over to our bench and pick the ball up. You know, James Harden is a guy that I have tremendous respect for. I always have. I've always watched him growing up. But who cares right now? Don't walk to our bench and grab the ball. If I went to the bench and grabbed a ball in front of their bench…," Barrett said after the game.
The Raptors are still very much alive, heading back to Toronto for Game 6 on Friday with a chance to tie things up.