### Raptors' Dramatic Comeback: Quickley's Buzzer-Beater Secures Victory Over Hornets On January 8, 2026, the Toronto Raptors achieved a thrilling 97-96 victory against the Charlotte Hornets, thanks to a last-second 3-pointer by Immanuel Quickley. The Raptors, who were down by 10 points in the fourth quarter, showcased resilience and teamwork, with RJ Barrett leading the charge by scoring 28 points, including 16 in the final quarter. Quickley's game-winner capped off a night where the Raptors struggled with their shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, making only 7 of 34 attempts (21%) until Quickley's decisive shot [https://apnews.com/article/raptors-hornets-score-42c74b7d2be8d3e89d6ea0a23c53d455][https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/immanuel_quickleys_game_winner_helps_raptors_overcome_poor_shooting_performance/s1_13132_43301221]. ### Breakdown of the Game's Key Elements 1. **Game Overview** - The Raptors rallied from a significant deficit in the fourth quarter. - Quickley's buzzer-beater was his third 3-pointer of the game. - The win marked the Raptors' fifth victory in their last six games. 2. **Player Performances** - RJ Barrett: 28 points, 7 rebounds, crucial in the fourth quarter. - Immanuel Quickley: 21 points, including the game-winning shot. - Scottie Barnes contributed 17 points. - Collin Sexton led the Hornets with 22 points, while LaMelo Ball added 15 points. 3. **Shooting Struggles** - The Raptors faced significant shooting difficulties, particularly from three-point range. - They missed 19 consecutive three-point attempts before Quickley's final shot. - Despite the poor shooting performance, the Raptors managed to secure the win. 4. **Game Context** - The victory prevented the Hornets from achieving their first winning streak of the season. - The Raptors' ability to come back in the fourth quarter highlights their resilience and teamwork. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Scoring Breakdown**: - **Raptors**: - RJ Barrett: 28 points (16 in the fourth quarter) - Immanuel Quickley: 21 points (3 three-pointers) - Scottie Barnes: 17 points - **Hornets**: - Collin Sexton: 22 points - LaMelo Ball: 15 points - **Shooting Statistics**: - Raptors' three-point shooting: 7-of-34 (21%) - Quickley's game-winner was the only three-pointer that mattered in the end [https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/raptors-quickley-demonstrates-hard-earned-perspective-with-winner-vs-hornets][https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/01/07/immanuel-quickley-beats-buzzer-raptors-down-hornets]. ### Conclusion: A Testament to Team Resilience In summary, the Toronto Raptors' victory over the Charlotte Hornets was a testament to their resilience and ability to perform under pressure. Key takeaways include: 1. **Immanuel Quickley's game-winning shot** exemplified his calm under pressure and the importance of clutch performances in basketball. 2. **RJ Barrett's fourth-quarter explosion** was crucial in setting up the opportunity for the win. 3. **Despite poor shooting**, the Raptors demonstrated that teamwork and determination can lead to success, even when the odds seem stacked against them. This game not only highlights the individual talents of players like Quickley and Barrett but also underscores the Raptors' potential as a competitive team in the league [https://torontosun.com/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors/raptors-win-thriller-at-buzzer-in-charlotte-but-ingram-leaves-early][https://fraservalleytoday.ca/2026/01/07/quickleys-3-pointer-at-the-buzzer-sends-the-raptors-past-the-hornets-97-96-for-5th-win-in-6-games].