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Quickley’s Buzzer-Beater Lifts Raptors Past Hornets, 97-96

1/8/2026

41 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Immanuel Quickley's buzzer-beating three-pointer gave the Toronto Raptors a 97-96 win over the Charlotte Hornets on January 7, 2026.
LaMelo Ball's layup with 1.6 seconds left briefly put the Hornets ahead.
RJ Barrett led Toronto with 28 points.
Immanuel Quickley added 21 points.
Brandon Ingram left the game early with a thumb injury.

History

Historical Context

The 1998 NBA Finals culminated in the Chicago Bulls' sixth championship, with Michael Jordan scoring 45 points in a dramatic Game 6 against the Utah Jazz on June 14. This victory marked the end of an era, as both Jordan and coach Phil Jackson retired afterward. The series remains iconic, holding the highest TV ratings in NBA history, reflecting the intense competition of that period.

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Story summary

Immanuel Quickley's buzzer-beating three-pointer gave the Toronto Raptors a 97-96 win over the Charlotte Hornets on January 7, 2026.
LaMelo Ball's layup with 1.6 seconds left briefly put the Hornets ahead.
RJ Barrett led Toronto with 28 points.
Immanuel Quickley added 21 points.
Brandon Ingram left the game early with a thumb injury.

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