OAKLAND, Calif. — After waiting 24 long years and enduring one of the most excruciating seconds imaginable, Canada finally got its first taste of NBA glory.
The Toronto Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors, 114-110, in Game 6 on Thursday, sealing the first title in franchise history and claiming Canada’s first championship in a major American sports league since the Toronto Blue Jays won the 1993 World Series.
Kawhi Leonard, who posted 22 points, six rebounds and three assists, was named Finals MVP for the second time in his career, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James as the only players to win that award while representing multiple teams. The all-star forward, who sealed the title with three free throws in a surreal closing second, previously won in 2014 with the San Antonio Spurs, who traded him to the Raptors last summer.
The endgame madness was set up by a costly Danny Green turnover with less than 10 seconds left, which granted one last gasp for the Warriors. Stephen Curry got open for a three-pointer, but his attempt rimmed out, setting off a mad scramble for the rebound near midcourt. Draymond Green corralled the loose ball, and the Warriors signaled for a timeout without having any remaining, triggering a technical foul. Leonard converted the free throw, but the interminable final second was only just beginning.
Leonard was fouled immediately on Toronto’s ensuing inbounds play, triggering a lengthy video review that resulted in two more free throws. He hit both to provide the winning margin and finally set off the celebrations.
The triumphant finish was made possible by a strong start from Kyle Lowry, who came out firing in what will go down as a career-defining performance. The longest-tenured Raptor hit his first four shots, including three three-pointers, to claim an early 11-2 lead. Lowry scored 15 first-quarter points, frustrating a rowdy crowd that loudly paid homage to Durant and to Oracle’s end, and finished with 26 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists.
