Danny Green Sends Clear Warning to Cavaliers Before Crucial Game 6 in Toronto

The Cleveland Cavaliers secured a pivotal Game 5 win on Wednesday, storming back to beat the Toronto Raptors 125–120 and take a 3–2 series lead.

Cleveland erased multiple double-digit deficits, leaning on a late surge from former No. 3 overall pick Evan Mobley, who drilled a pair of clutch 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and finished with 23 points.

The Cavs closed strong to seize control of what's quickly become one of the most volatile first-round matchups in the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

But less than 24 hours before a do-or-die Game 6 in Toronto, a new voice has shifted the tone of the series.

Former Raptors champion Danny Green isn't buying Cleveland's momentum, predicting Toronto will win Game 6, force a Game 7, and warning that the Cavaliers could be in serious trouble if their stars don't carry the load late.

"Shout out to [Dennis] Schroder, shout out to Evan Mobley, who had a big fourth quarter. But Cleveland is in trouble. This is going seven," Green said. "They're going to be in the city of Toronto. You know the fans are going to get up. So they're going to win that Game 6."

"If you let them [Toronto] get that confidence, and you don't see James Harden and Donovan Mitchell in that fourth quarter, if they have a fourth quarter like they did last night, they could be going home," he added.

More news: Florida's 7-Foot-9 Giant Olivier Rioux Makes Head-Turning Transfer Move

On paper, the Cavaliers closed Game 5 like a contender should. But read between the lines, and there may be real cause for concern.

Cleveland's fourth quarter belonged to Dennis Schröder, who accounted for 17 points in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 himself and assisting on two other 3-point shots.

They needed every bit of it. The Cavs' stars, Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, were largely absent when it mattered most, combining for just one point in the final quarter.

Mitchell didn't play at all in crunch time, finishing with 19 points on an inefficient 7-of-17 shooting from the field, while Harden, despite a solid 23-point, 9-rebound, 5-assist line, coughed up six turnovers and wasn't the closer Cleveland expected.

That dynamic is exactly what Green is pointing at. You can survive one game leaning on a hot hand, but in the playoffs, especially on the road, relying on a role player to bail you out in the fourth is a dangerous formula.

Toronto, notably, also went ice-cold early in the fourth, missing its first 11 shots and scoring just 17 points, which largely masked Cleveland's late-game issues.

More news: Caitlin Clark Effect Appears to Drive Another Massive WNBA Ratings Surge

More news: Kevin Durant Gets Blunt Reality Check From Kendrick Perkins Before Game 5

There is some concern, however, for Toronto on the injury front. Brandon Ingram exited Game 5 with a heel injury, and his status is uncertain, while franchise star Scottie Barnes is also dealing with a quad issue.

Still, if both are available, the Raptors have already shown they have enough firepower to protect their homecourt.

With Game 6 shifting back to Scotiabank Arena, Toronto will have a chance to dictate tempo in a win-or-go-home environment fueled by a hostile crowd.

And if Cleveland leaves the door open, this series could flip fast, forcing a Game 7 with all the momentum swinging back to the Raptors.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 1:54 PM.