For the first time in their 24-year franchise history, the Toronto Raptors won the NBA championship, closing out the Golden State Warriors in six games with a 114-110 victory at Oracle Arena.
The entire series was eventful, featuring nine starting lineups by Golden State, multiple comebacks, inspiring returns, devastating injuries and heart-stopping performances. Toronto taking a 3-1 series lead set up the narrative that the Warriors would atone for their own 3-1 misadventure in the 2016 NBA Finals against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
But the Raptors, led by 2014 and now 2019 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, found a way to prevent a Golden State three-peat. Here's a social media commentary of how it all went down in Thursday night's title-clinching odyssey.
Gods Plan. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/jNMSQyqfYK
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 14, 2019
Wow @Raptors unbelievable accomplishment.... So proud & way to get it done!!!#CHAMPS
— Vince Carter (@mrvincecarter15) June 14, 2019
And that's how we do it in the North. #RaptorsIn6ix #WeTheNorth
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 14, 2019
That is the feeling I want.
— Victor Oladipo (@VicOladipo) June 14, 2019
Wow
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) June 14, 2019
This series has been wild.
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) June 14, 2019
Congrats Toronto! Well deserved! Big Spain!!!!! 👏🏾👏🏾🥳🥳
— Mike Conley (@mconley11) June 14, 2019
RAPTORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— Norm Kelly (@norm) June 14, 2019
Congrats to my dog @Klow7 you deserve it bro! North philly stand up!!
— Marcus Morris (@MookMorris2) June 14, 2019
This @NBA finals showed one more time how important the @NBAGleague is for the development of our players.
— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) June 14, 2019
Well deserved! 👏
Congrats @UjiriMasai
— Javale McGee (@JaValeMcGee) June 14, 2019
This was karma from the spurs series when kawhi got hurt vs the warriors. Sucks to say.
— kuz (@kylekuzma) June 14, 2019
What a time... pic.twitter.com/EvE3j3hQLK
— Greivis Vasquez (@greivisvasquez) June 14, 2019
S/o to TORONTOOOOOOO
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) June 14, 2019
A bench is important
— Nick Young (@NickSwagyPYoung) June 14, 2019
Respect, @Raptors pic.twitter.com/M1H9Hgb45Y
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) June 14, 2019
just sad its no more hoop too watch
— Jordan Clarkson (@JordanClarksons) June 14, 2019
Congrats, @Raptors!
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) June 14, 2019
Love,
Your Northern Neighbors
The @Raptors new @nba Champs!! Congratulations @MarcGasol 💍!!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼#NBAFinals
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) June 14, 2019
Congrats Champ @MarcGasol
— Jusuf Nurkić (@bosnianbeast27) June 14, 2019
What a time to be alive 🇨🇦 👏
— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) June 14, 2019
Wow
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) June 14, 2019
My Showtime Lakers and the Golden State Warriors both tried to three peat and struggled with injuries. Byron Scott and I pulled our hamstrings in the '89 finals, while the Warriors suffered with injuries to Klay, Kevin Durant, and Demarcus Cousins.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 14, 2019