As the final seconds ticked off the clock in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals a wave of emotion swept over Oracle Arena. Warriors fan remained in their seats even after the visiting Toronto Raptors cemented their spot in NBA history as champions, the first time in franchise history and just twenty-four seasons after expansion into the league in 1995. As the podium was brought to center court the Oracle crowd remained on their feet, inhaling smoke and confetti meant to celebrate the NBA’s first international champion, in reverence for the oldest building in NBA history and all the memories that were shared within it. Memories that peaked at the end of Oracle Arena’s life when it became the forum for the greatest dynasty in modern NBA history. It was a truly transcendent moment in the history of the league, twenty-thousand people paying respect to the game of basketball on the brightest stage, even in disappointment.
Just moments earlier, Kawhi Leonard hit the second shot in a pair of technical free throws to seal Toronto’s championship season and ran towards the opposing basket with his fisted hands raised above his head. The Raptors bench exploded and ran to meet Leonard, Kyle Lowry, and Fred VanVleet on the opposite end of the court. The road team, now having won five straight games in this series, was on top of the basketball world after putting together the most impressive six-game stretch in franchise history.
The Raptors’ Game 6 victory began with a remarkable offensive performance from Kyle Lowry, who was 4-4 from the field for 11 points in the first four minutes of action. Lowry’s aggressiveness inspired the entire Raptors offense early; Toronto shot 50% overall and from three-point range in the first half. The Raptors were led by their core trio on the night: Lowry, Leonard, and Pascal Siakim finished with 26, 22, and 26 points, respectively. But it was VanVleet who had the Raptors’ game-deciding performance with 12 points in the fourth quarter to add to his 22 point total on the night.
CANT. GUARD. FRED. pic.twitter.com/5LqvcOIUMU
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 14, 2019
After the Warriors extinguished the Raptors early hot streak, the lead never exceeded single digits for either team for the remainder of the game. The Warriors weren’t able to match Lowry in the opening minutes but found their groove to close the Toronto lead to 33-32 at the end of the first quarter. The Splash Brothers put together a typical offensive performance, Klay Thompson led the way with 30 points on 8-12 shooting from the field and Stephen Curry added 21 points on 6-17 shooting. The Warriors received a much-needed offensive boost from Andre Iguodala, who shot 9-15 from the field for 22 points, including a couple of much-needed baskets in the second half.
Iggy beating the shot clock! pic.twitter.com/MOh4DHIJm8
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 14, 2019
Thompson was the leading scorer on the game, even after exiting the arena during the third quarter with an apparent knee injury. Up to that point, Klay had 28 points on 4-6 shooting from three-point range living up to his moniker “Game 6 Klay”. After needing assistance to get off the court, Klay returned moments later from the tunnel à la Willis Reed’s in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals. It appeared as though Thompson received word that if he did not shoot the free throws awarded from the foul resulting in his injury, that he would be disqualified from returning to the contest if he felt able. After temporarily shaking off the pain in his knee, Klay made both free throws.
Klay Thompson joins Kevin Durant as the two vital parts of the Warriors lineup to suffer potentially major injuries in the 2019 NBA Finals.
Klay Thompson was headed back to the locker room… he turned around and went back to the court to shoot his free throws
AND HE MADE BOTH pic.twitter.com/n8QmVeFM2p
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 14, 2019
Kawhi Leonard was deservedly named the 2019 NBA Finals MVP after averaging 28.5 on the series while receiving the main defensive assignment on the Warriors’ dynamic shooters each night. When the buzzer sounded, Leonard had the widest smile of any of the Raptors players as the moment sunk in. Just five years after Kawhi led the Spurs to a route of the Miami Heat in the 2014 Finals, he receives his second championship and another Finals MVP trophy. Though it doesn’t appear that Leonard particularly relishes the individual hardware.
Kawhi Leonard up and left the #NBAFinals MVP trophy at the table pic.twitter.com/W47Fi1gQIy
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 14, 2019
The Raptors made the largest gamble in the 2018 offseason, acquiring Leonard from San Antonio in a trade for All-Star forward and fan favorite Demar DeRozan. Obviously, that bet paid off tremendously. The Raptors and their fans have Leonard to thank for seizing this opportunity, and Lowry and DeRozan to revere for building the foundation of this team over the last five seasons that ultimately culminated in the franchise’s first NBA championship.
Tonight Toronto celebrates its rise to the top of the basketball world for the first time and the NBA celebrates its first international champion.
CONGRATS TO THE 2019 NBA CHAMPIONS, THE TORONTO RAPTORS! ?????? pic.twitter.com/EkqV9scH0T
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 14, 2019
Congratulations to the Toronto Raptors, the 2019 NBA Champions.
