What a wild night in Charlotte! The Toronto Raptors, riding a hot streak, pulled off a heart-stopping 97-96 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on January 7, 2026, thanks to Immanuel Quickley’s dramatic three-pointer at the buzzer. The Spectrum Center crowd was left in stunned silence as the Raptors, who had trailed by ten early in the fourth quarter, rallied back to snatch their fifth win in six games. This wasn’t just another regular season matchup—it was a roller-coaster that showcased resilience, clutch shooting, and the unpredictable drama that makes NBA basketball so addictive.
Let’s set the scene. The Hornets were fresh off a statement win, having demolished the Oklahoma City Thunder 124-97 just two nights earlier. Spirits were high, but they faced a setback before tipoff: standout forward Brandon Miller, who torched the Thunder for 28 points and seven triples, was ruled out with a left knee contusion. That meant more pressure on Charlotte’s young core, with rookie Sion James and Collin Sexton candidates to fill the void. Moussa Diabate, battling a right wrist sprain, was upgraded to available, while other key bigs like Ryan Kalkbrenner and Mason Plumlee remained sidelined.
The Hornets wasted no time, racing out to an 11-2 lead behind sharp shooting and aggressive defense. Kon Knueppel, despite an off night overall (4-for-17 from the field, 3-for-11 from deep), helped push Charlotte to a 50-45 halftime advantage. The home team looked poised to build on their momentum, especially after opening the second quarter with a 16-5 run to grab a 38-30 edge. Toronto, meanwhile, struggled mightily from beyond the arc, hitting just 2-of-19 threes in the first half.
But the Raptors are nothing if not resilient. RJ Barrett, who led all scorers with 28 points and added seven rebounds, kept Toronto within striking distance. Scottie Barnes, who had Raptors fans holding their breath after limping to the locker room early in the fourth quarter, returned to finish with 17 points, four boards, a steal, and a block in 28 minutes. According to DraftKings, Barnes shot 6-for-13 from the field and 0-for-2 from distance, providing his usual all-around impact. "Barnes plays an integral all-around role for this Toronto squad with contributions in just about every stat category," noted one analyst, highlighting his season averages of 19.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists.
Toronto’s woes from three-point land continued into the third quarter, but the tide began to turn in the final frame. The Hornets, led by Collin Sexton’s 22 points off the bench and LaMelo Ball’s 15 points, threatened to pull away. Early in the fourth, Moussa Diabate’s steal and spinning layup pushed Charlotte’s lead back to double digits. Yet, the Raptors refused to fold. Barrett’s three-pointer with 5:40 left gave Toronto a brief lead, while both he and Quickley had crucial stretches of five straight points to keep the pressure on the Hornets.
As the clock wound down, the drama only intensified. Sexton’s three-pointer nudged Charlotte ahead 92-89, but Barrett quickly responded with a three-point play to knot things up at 92. Miles Bridges, who finished with 12 points, hit a pair of free throws, only for Barrett to answer again with a short jumper, tying the game at 94 with 20 seconds left. Then, with 1.6 seconds on the clock, LaMelo Ball drove left and finished a tough layup, putting Charlotte up 96-94 and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
It all came down to one final play. After a timeout, the Raptors set up a side-inbounds play. Quickley, who had already hit two threes but was just 3-for-11 from deep on the night, got free at the top of the arc. The ball found his hands, and with the clock expiring, he let it fly. Swish. The Raptors’ bench erupted, while Hornets fans could only watch in disbelief. "Quickley’s 3-pointer at the buzzer sends the Raptors past the Hornets 97-96 for 5th win in 6 games," reported the Associated Press, perfectly capturing the moment.
Statistically, the numbers tell a story of contrasts. Toronto was ice-cold from deep for three quarters (3-of-27), but found their touch in crunch time, going 4-of-7 in the fourth. The Hornets, meanwhile, shot 39% from the field and 10-of-21 from three in the first half, but were undone by 18 turnovers—double the Raptors’ six. Toronto’s Collin Murray-Boyles was a force on the glass, hauling in 15 rebounds, though Charlotte still held a 50-42 edge on the boards.
It wasn’t just about the stars, either. Kon Knueppel, despite his shooting woes, contributed 11 points for Charlotte. Moussa Diabate’s energy—especially filling in for the injured bigs—was crucial, as was the expanded role for Sandro Mamukelashvili. For Toronto, the absence of Brandon Ingram, who exited early with a thumb injury, could have spelled disaster, but the Raptors’ depth and determination shone through.
This win held extra meaning for Toronto, as it avenged two earlier losses to Charlotte this season. The Raptors improved to 23-15, further solidifying their playoff ambitions, while the Hornets, still dealing with a rash of injuries, were left to regroup after a bitter defeat. As for what’s next, the Raptors head to Boston to face the Celtics on January 9, while the Hornets look to bounce back at home against the Indiana Pacers on January 8.
“We just kept believing,” said Barrett after the game, his voice echoing the sentiment of a team that refuses to quit. For fans in Charlotte, it was a night of heartbreak, but for the Raptors, it was another thrilling chapter in a season that’s shaping up to be unforgettable. Who says regular season basketball can’t deliver playoff-level excitement?
With both teams battling injuries and adversity, Wednesday’s contest was a testament to grit and determination. And as the Raptors continue their push up the standings, one thing’s for sure: nobody in the NBA should take them lightly—not after a buzzer-beater like that.