The contest was a back-and-forth grueling affair — with 10 lead changes and seven ties. Neither team shot well — the Raptors at 38 percent and the Sixers at 43. It took almost five minutes for Philadelphia to score at the start of the game, and the Sixers racked up only 13 points in the first quarter. Both teams clamped down defensively, sending double-teams to smother each franchise cornerstone, Leonard and Embiid.

Embiid, who struggled all series fighting various injuries, played all but three minutes of the game, scoring 21 points while putting up 18 shots, and grabbing 11 rebounds. Only one of his six 3-point attempts went in.

In a shining example of basketball being a game of inches, Leonard was this close to being a scapegoat. With 10 seconds left, he went to the free-throw line with Toronto ahead, 89-88. He hit the first one, but the second clanged off the rim, and Philadelphia raced downcourt. Jimmy Butler, who scored 16 points, tied the score on a layup, setting up Leonard’s heroics.

“I was very mad,” Leonard said. “I tried to race down and get a rebound. Probably should’ve sprinted back to give some help on that layup Jimmy made.”

Philadelphia now goes back to the drawing board after another crushing loss in the second round of the playoffs. Elton Brand, the general manager, must consider whether the Sixers have peaked. The Sixers cashed in their chips to acquire Butler and Tobias Harris, both of whom are free agents this summer. And speculation about Coach Brett Brown’s job security has swirled recently. But Embiid, who frequently has used Trust The Process as his catchphrase, was in no mood to discuss the franchise’s future.

“I don’t give a damn about The Process,” Embiid said.