When RJ Barrett launched that desperation three-pointer with 1.2 seconds left on the clock Friday night, no one—least of all the Cleveland Cavaliers—expected it to drop. But drop it did, bouncing off the rim and through the net to give the Toronto Raptors a stunning 112-110 overtime victory and force a decisive Game 7. It was the kind of shot that instantly etches a player's name into playoff lore.

The Duke alum's heroics didn't just win the game; they sparked a wave of comparisons across the NBA world. Fans and analysts alike couldn't help but notice the eerie resemblance to two other unforgettable playoff moments.

The first came just last year, when Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton nailed a game-tying three in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals—a shot that forced overtime and had the basketball world buzzing. Haliburton himself acknowledged the similarity, tweeting simply, "That looked familiar," after watching Barrett's replay.

The second comparison carries even more weight, especially for Raptors faithful. Barrett's game-winner drew immediate parallels to Kawhi Leonard's iconic buzzer-beater in Game 7 of the 2019 Eastern Conference semifinals—the shot that bounced four times on the rim before falling and ultimately propelled Toronto to its first NBA championship. While Leonard's shot came with higher stakes and a few more rim-bounces, the setting was the same: Toronto, a do-or-die playoff moment, and a shot that seemed destined to miss until it didn't.

For Barrett, this moment is already legendary. But as any sports fan knows, its legacy will grow even brighter if the Raptors can close out Game 7 on Sunday. Until then, basketball fans will keep replaying that bouncing three-pointer—and wondering if history has a way of repeating itself in the most dramatic fashion.