Jamal CollierApr 30, 2026, 01:24 AM ETCloseJamal Collier is an NBA reporter at ESPN. Collier covers the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls and the Midwest region of the NBA, including stories such as Minnesota’s iconic jersey swap between Anthony Edwards and Justin Jefferson. He has been at ESPN since Sept. 2021 and previously covered the Bulls for the Chicago Tribune. You can reach out to Jamal on Twitter @JamalCollier or via email Jamal.Collier@espn.com.Multiple Authors
Dennis Schroder’s 3 leads to a shoving match between teams (1:17)Dennis Schroder’s 3 leads to a shoving match between teams (1:17)
Schroder played the entire fourth, scoring 11 of his 19 points on 5-of-8 shooting to help the Cavs outscore the Raptors 25-17 in the final period and seal a 125-120 victory on Wednesday. The Cavs own 3-2 lead in the series, with Game 6 set for Friday in Toronto.
“I felt like I had to say something to the group, so we can rise and go play Cavs basketball and play to our standards.”
Schroder, a 32-year-old veteran who came to Cleveland in a February trade, said he implored the team to return to the principles it was built on, playing through their bigs, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, and with more aggression and energy.
The Cavs trailed 74-67 at the half and were down 103-100 entering the fourth quarter before Schroder’s late surge helped them pull off the comeback. It was the first time the Cavs had won a playoff game after trailing to begin the fourth quarter since 2018, when they came back to beat the Raptors in the 2018 Eastern Conference semifinals, according to ESPN Research.
At one point, while Schroder had it going in the fourth quarter, Atkinson attempted to make a substitution to bring Donovan Mitchell and Mobley back into the game. But Mitchell said he and Mobley both preferred to leave Schroder in the game.
While the Cavs made headlines for grabbing James Harden before the trade deadline in February, they also acquired Keon Ellis and Schroder in a three-team trade with the Sacramento Kings and the Chicago Bulls. Schroder’s acquisition was unheralded, but he helped steady Cleveland after a rocky first half Wednesday against Toronto.
The Cavs gave up 23 points off turnovers in the first half but committed only five of their 15 turnovers in the second half and one in the fourth quarter while Schroder was sharing ballhandling duties.
And yet, Schroder had seen limited action in this series before Game 5, averaging just 11.3 minutes through the first four games and sitting out the entire second half of Game 3 before his outburst Wednesday.
“Big games. I love big games,” Schroder said. “I love the playoffs. I think every player is working for that moment.”
After regaining control of the series, Atkinson said he believed Wednesday’s win was the kind that could help build resiliency for what Cleveland hopes will be a long playoff run.
“We’re trying to get over the hump,” Atkinson said. “We’re trying to get to the next level. That’s a real mental challenge to me. Game 5, 2-2, these are high-pressure moments. You’re down. You could feel the crowd getting nervous. I think we took a step tonight.”
Dennis Schroder’s 3 leads to a shoving match between teams (1:17)Dennis Schroder’s 3 leads to a shoving match between teams (1:17)
Jamal CollierApr 30, 2026, 01:24 AM ETCloseJamal Collier is an NBA reporter at ESPN. Collier covers the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls and the Midwest region of the NBA, including stories such as Minnesota’s iconic jersey swap between Anthony Edwards and Justin Jefferson. He has been at ESPN since Sept. 2021 and previously covered the Bulls for the Chicago Tribune. You can reach out to Jamal on Twitter @JamalCollier or via email Jamal.Collier@espn.com.Multiple Authors
CloseJamal Collier is an NBA reporter at ESPN. Collier covers the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls and the Midwest region of the NBA, including stories such as Minnesota’s iconic jersey swap between Anthony Edwards and Justin Jefferson. He has been at ESPN since Sept. 2021 and previously covered the Bulls for the Chicago Tribune. You can reach out to Jamal on Twitter @JamalCollier or via email Jamal.Collier@espn.com.
Then, in the fourth quarter, he led the team by example.
“He was, as we like to call him, Dennis the menace tonight.”
Dennis Schroder’s 3 leads to a shoving match between teams (1:17)