OAKLAND, Calif. — The Toronto Raptors won their first-ever National Basketball Association championship on Thursday night.
Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam scored 26 points apiece to lead Toronto past the Golden State Warriors 114-110 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
And that's how we do it in the North. #RaptorsIn6ix #WeTheNorth
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 14, 2019
It's the first time in NBA history that a team based outside of the United States has won the league's title.
Toronto had not appeared in an NBA Finals before this season. The Raptors entered the NBA in 1995.
Watching tonight's highlights on repeat. @TangerineHoops: https://t.co/viOQl0RU8T pic.twitter.com/ipuegM2ig8
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 14, 2019
The title also ends a 26-year drought since a Canadian team has won one of the big four North American professional sports championships. The last team to do it was the Toronto Blue Jays, who won the 1993 World Series.
CANADA, THE @NBA TITLE IS YOURS! #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/QaCvuX5bsK
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 14, 2019
Since then, Canadian teams have been shut out of championships in the National Hockey League, Major League Baseball and the NBA. There is no National Football League franchise in Canada.
No sleepin' in the streets! #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/22dRO3yWyU
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 14, 2019
Thursday's victory was the culmination of a series of moves by Raptors president Masai Ujiri to create a championship-calibre team designed to win it all this season.
A forever mood. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/OQ1h42sbjZ
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 14, 2019
Ujiri's first — and biggest — trade was to send beloved superstar DeMar DeRozan, young forward Jakob Poeltl and a protected 2019 first round draft pick to the San Antonio Spurs for superstar Kawhi Leonard and defensively minded sharpshooter Danny Green.
Acquiring Leonard came with a timeline, as the 2014 NBA Finals MVP is scheduled to become a free agent this summer. Leonard reportedly made it clear to Spurs management that he intended to sign with one of the two teams in his hometown of Los Angeles as soon as he became a free agent.
Storybook season. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/gLXduWE1ZZ
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 14, 2019
Ujiri made additional moves ahead of February's trade deadline, most notably getting centre Marc Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies for centre Jonas Valanciunas, forward C.J. Miles, guard Delon Wright and a 2024 second-round draft pick.
Gasol's impact on the Raptors was felt throughout the rest of the season and into the playoffs as he stiffened Toronto's defence and added another threat from three-point range.
Champions mood babyyyyy pic.twitter.com/y4wc2VlwSJ
— Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka) June 14, 2019
Enjoy it, TO! #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/SVw4tfd8Gh
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 14, 2019
Fans eager to secure Toronto Raptors gear to commemorate historic win
TORONTO — Fans basking in the glory of the Toronto Raptors' historic NBA championship win are lining up to get their hands on team merchandise.
People waited to get into several stores peddling Raptors gear hours after the sole Canadian team in the NBA beat the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, Calif., Thursday night.
"Let's do something special" pic.twitter.com/FhwTGooobG
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 14, 2019
Several fans say buying merchandise now that the Raptors are champions is part of celebrating the team's win.
A victory parade is reportedly planned for Monday in Toronto, although details have not been confirmed.
Jubilant crowds spent hours celebrating across the country after the Raptors clinched the title in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
The win also marks the first time Canada wins a major title since the Toronto Blue Jays won the 1993 World Series.
Happy for my friends and old teammates. A group of great guys. Also couldn't be happier for our great country Canada 🇨🇦!! pic.twitter.com/EyrF9XSkzr
— Cory Joseph (@Cory_Joe) June 14, 2019
This one’s for you, Canada. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/Z5aYnY4xCE
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 14, 2019
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 14, 2019
Board man gets champagne! pic.twitter.com/YvlnleQOW9
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 14, 2019
Tonight's Winning Numbers presented by @OLGproline. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/bmJXr9bx7R
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 14, 2019
"WE WANTED TO WIN IN TORONTO AND WE'VE WON IN TORONTO!"#WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/hNkPsBg3SM
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 14, 2019
HEART OF A CHAMPION! @Klow7 | #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/VwMntkCuuI
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 14, 2019