Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors captured their first NBA crown on Thursday after they defeated the defending title holders, Golden State Warriors 114 – 110 to become the first league champions from outside the United States.

The Raptors became the first Canadian club to win a major North American sports title since the 1993 Toronto Blue Jays captured Major League Baseball’s World Series .

Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam each scored 26 points while Kawhi Leonard and reserve Fred Van Vleet each added 22 as Toronto won the best-of-seven series four games to two.

Leonard was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the second time in his career after the first in 2014 with San Antonio Spurs, which traded him to Toronto last July.

“Last summer I was going through a lot. I just kept working hard and had my mind set on this goal right here. This is why I play basketball. This is what I work hard for. I’m glad to see it all pay off,” Leonard said.

Klay Thompson scored 30 points to lead the Warriors but left the game with a left knee injury late in the third quarter after landing awkwardly on his left leg.

The injury-hit Warriors were already without two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, Kevin Durant who returned in game five on Monday after being sidelined for a month only to suffer a ruptured right Achilles tendon .

Andre Iguodala added 22 points for the Warriors, Stephen Curry had 21 and Draymond Green contributed 11 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists.

Golden State had a final shot to win trailing 111-110 but Curry missed a 3-pointer and Green called a timeout when the team had none, setting up three final free throws by Leonard to seal the victory.

With the victory, the Raptors also spoiled the Warriors’ farewell appearance at Oracle Arena, Golden State’s home since 1971 which will be replaced next season by a new $1 billion venue in San Francisco.