Down 101-103, with 0.5 seconds left on the game clock, OG Anunoby knocked down a corner three-pointer over Jaylen Brown to defeat the Boston Celtics and steal a game in the series. Anunoby’s last-second shot prevented Toronto from falling behind 0-3 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Despite remaining on the court for 45 minutes, OG Anunoby had enough fuel left to drain the buzzer-beater, which is undoubtedly the biggest shot in the forward’s young career so far. In a typical situation, Anunoby — who has averaged under 11 points per game this season — would not be Nick Nurse’s choice to take the last shot. But he rose to the occasion and just about saved the Raptors’ season.
The Raptors had trailed for the majority of the first three quarters, and the lead went back and forth for most of the fourth quarter. In the last few minutes, the Celtics nearly pulled away, but Anunoby’s shot stole the win for Toronto.
At the Raptors’ postgame press conference, Anunoby confirmed that he knew the shot was going in once he released it.
“When I shot it, I expected to make it; I don’t shoot trying to miss. Every shot I shoot, I try to make it. I wasn’t going to act surprised because I wasn’t surprised,” said Anunoby, who quickly deferred his attention and focus towards preparing for Game 4.
The Raptors will meet the Celtics again on Saturday as they seek to even the series at two games apiece.
