"I'm not totally surprised," Nurse said. "He delivered big time ... We certainly are going to relish this championship for a long time."
Kirstie Chiappelli
Kawhi Leonard decided not to stay in Toronto. But he gave the Raptors a lot in his short time there, and fans are appreciative of that.
Jordan Heck
Leonard shook up the NBA when he picked the Clippers in free agency just a few weeks after leading Toronto to its first title.
Chelsea Howard
LA agreed to sign the two-time Finals MVP and trade for another star forward just before the NBA's moratorium on deals ends.
Tom Gatto
According to a report from Cris Carter of FS1, Leonard is still undecided when it comes to his looming free agency decision.
Alexis Mansanarez
Green is waiting to see what Leonard does before deciding where he will sign in free agency.
The Bulls, Clippers, Pacers, Wizards, Hornets and Cavaliers are all also interested in signing Holiday, according to The Athletic.
E.Jay Zarett
Kawhi Leonard reportedly met with the Raptors on Wednesday, with helicopters following his every move, but the NBA star has yet to make a decision on his future.
Snoop Dogg changed the words to 'Human Nature' by Michael Jackson to try and convince Kawhi Leonard to play for the Lakers.
Alyssa Sconzo
Leonard was followed from the Toronto airport to a hotel, where he was rumored to meet Raptors president Masai Ujiri.
The Lakers, Mavericks and Raptors are still in contention to sign the 32-year-old, the guard announced on his podcast’s Twitter account.
VanVleet discussed Leonard's impending decision and what it means for the team Sunday on Stadium, saying, "we want Kawhi back."
An earlier report from Yahoo Sports stated Toronto was the favorite to sign Leonard in 2019, but that notion appears to be changing.
Ameer Tyree
After winning a Finals MVP in his first season with Toronto, Kawhi Leonard could be on the move again as an unrestricted free agent. Sporting News is tracking the latest news, rumors and speculation around the Raptors star.
Thomas Schlarp
Ahead of the summer spending spree, here's a list of the top 30 free agents NBA teams will be targeting.
Jordan Greer
The futures of Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving are the major talking points ahead of the start of NBA free agency.
Rob Lancaster
Who has the best chance of signing Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving? Here are the teams with the highest odds to land this year's top free agents.
Jacob Janower
Kawhi Leonard is a free agent who is fresh off winning a championship with the Raptors, but the Clippers are still confident they can sign the 2019 NBA Finals MVP.
The Clippers are viewed as the most likely destination for Leonard if he decides to leave the Raptors.
Travis Durkee
The Wizards were reportedly ready to offer Ujiri a deal including an ownership stake in the team.
Arthur Weinstein
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau already has extended an invite to the Raptors to visit Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
"I think it’s a higher percentage for him to be here than to leave,” Green said during Hoops Talk, via Sportsnet.
The Raptors didn't come close to the Finals until the arrival of Leonard, and they made changes to build around him for a championship run.
Leonard is “seriously considering re-signing” with the Raptors and they’re viewed as the “favorite to land” him, according to Yahoo Sports.
The sheriff's office went as far as showing the photos of the Raptors president to a Canadian newspaper, The Globe and Mail.
John Tory took a rather rare approach in asking fans to respect Raptors star Kawhi Leonard.
The Toronto Zoo celebrated the Raptors' historic season by naming baby turtles after the players, coaches and fans.
After five years with CSKA Moscow, former Raptors and Spurs guard Nando De Colo is expected to return to the NBA.
Trump has had issues in the past with championship teams by either not inviting them to the White House or teams declining the invitation.
Drew Nantais
This is if Kawhi Leonard decides to leave Toronto at all.
Thomas Lott
The Wizards will reportedly wait until after Thursday’s NBA Draft and the start of free agency later this month to find a new president.
Four people suffered non-life-threatening injuries and three were arrested, according to Toronto Police.
Raptors star Kawhi Leonard mimicked his laughter at the champions' title parade Monday.
Liam Blackburn
The Six's superfan was in attendance for his team's first NBA championship parade, and so was his private jet.
Jamila St. Ann
The Raptors won their first NBA championship in franchise history with a 114-110 win over the Warriors in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
“I think that for us, at least speaking for myself, there’s nothing more that we can do,” Raptors guard Fred VanVleet said Sunday.
After guiding the Raptors to their first NBA title, Nick Nurse is preparing to coach Canada.
Sacha Pisani
Drake received attention and scrutiny for his courtside behavior.
Kawhi Leonard didn't wait long to send his new teammate a message after he was traded to the Raptors.
Zac Al-Khateeb
Jeremy Lin is also a pioneer, but social media is more concerned with drama that supposedly unfolded seven years ago in New York.
An injury-plagued NBA Finals should be a signal to the rest of the league that the age of Warriors domination is over. If ever there was a time to go all-in, it's right now.
Joey Votto is a proud Canadian and a die-hard Toronto Raptors fan.
The Golden State Warriors have confirmed Klay Thompson suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in Game 6 against the Toronto Raptors.
There has already been speculation about Raptors star Kawhi Leonard accepting a short-term deal to stay in Toronto, and that might make the most sense for both sides.
The Warriors announced All-Star shooting guard Klay Thompson suffered a torn left ACL in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. The injury will likely sideline him for the majority of the 2019-20 season.
Toronto closed out the Warriors at Oracle Arena on Thursday in Game 6 of the Finals to win its first title in in franchise history.
After the Warriors' Game 6 loss, Stephen Curry's father, Dell, said, "We've celebrated more tonight, during a loss, than ever."
Team owner Joe Lacob says the goal this offseason remains making Thompson, a pending free agent, "a Warrior for life" despite his torn ACL.
Bob Hille
The Warriors displayed incredible spirit in defeat in the NBA Finals, but their show of determination greatly damaged hopes for next season.
Nicholas McGee
Is the Drake curse truly lifted? We take a deeper look into the meaning behind the Raptors' win in the NBA Finals.
The two-time MVP was pure class in his conversation with Drake after the Raptors beat the Warriors to win the 2019 NBA championship.
After missing out on a third straight NBA title, Draymond Green and Stephen Curry declared the Golden State Warriors can bounce back.
The staggering deal reportedly includes a potential stake in Wizards ownership, among other opportunities in Washington.
There’s precedent for a Canadian-based team celebrating in Washington, D.C. after taking home a title in their respective league.
The Toronto Raptors held on in a wild fourth quarter to claim their first NBA championship.
This was a storybook ending to a historic season for the Raptors, and NBA players wasted no time congratulating Toronto on its historic win.
The Raptors' global ambassador celebrated like a player after the franchise won its first championship.
Thompson suffered the injury in the third quarter on a breakaway.
One voter decided another Raptors player was more worthy of the NBA Finals MVP trophy than Kawhi Leonard.
Video appears to show Masai Ujiri and the officer squaring off behind one of the baselines at Oracle Arena.
Steve Kerr struggled to find the words to describe his team, who were dethroned by the Raptors on Thursday.
The Raptors won their first title in franchise history Thursday and now they have some serious questions to answer.
Raptors star Kawhi Leonard was delighted after winning another NBA championship.
Dejan Kalinic
Toronto closed out the Warriors with a 114-110 victory in Game 6 of the Finals to win its first title in franchise history.
The Warriors know what to expect from Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, but they need DeMarcus Cousins to be an X-factor in Game 6 against the Raptors.
Bill Bender
After Durant revealed he underwent surgery for a ruptured Achilles, Leonard gave him a key piece of advice for his recovery.
Gabrielle McMillen
The Warriors squeaked by with a Game 5 victory to stay alive in the NBA Finals, despite losing Kevin Durant. The Raptors head to Oracle Arena one last time, hoping to close out the series.
Blair Berry
Durant wrote on Instagram: "I'm hurting deeply, but I'm OK. Basketball is my biggest love and I wanted to be out there that night."
Dr. David Chao says he believes Durant first injured his Achilles last month against the Rockets, but the Warriors termed it a calf injury.
Warriors star Kevin Durant returned to the court in a must-win Game 5 against the Raptors, but he suffered an Achilles injury after playing just 12 minutes.
"I blame the Warriors for KD getting hurt and I don't care what they say about it," Barkley said on ESPN's "Get Up" on Tuesday.
Wanda Durant said it was heartbreaking to watch her son get hurt and that he told her not to cry when they talked a few minutes later.
“They’re comfortable with me going out there as long as I can tolerate the pain,” Looney said, via the Mercury News.
After Durant left Monday's game with an Achilles injury, Leonard said he could relate to Durant's situation.
Nick Nurse said he thought his players could use the "extra energy push" to try and close out the series Monday.
The Raptors let a golden opportunity slip through their grasp in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Now the big question is how Toronto reacts after such a tough loss.
Jenn Smith
Raptors fans began cheering after Kevin Durant's injury, leading to many Warriors players calling them out after the game.
There were cheers when Kevin Durant hit the deck in pain during Game 5, a reaction that Kyle Lowry was not impressed with.
Peter Thompson
"It's an Achilles injury. I don't know the extent of it," Myers said while making a statement after the Warriors' 106-105 win.
Durant addressed the injury he suffered in Game 5 of the NBA Finals in an Instagram live post Monday.
Durant scored 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting and grabbed two rebounds in Game 5 before exiting.
Although Kevin Durant and Kevon Looney re-aggravated injuries in the contest and left the game, the Warriors held on.
Nothing better represents what separates the Warriors from the rest of the pack than their incredible defensive possession to end Game 5.
In a classy gesture from the Raptors, Toronto players quieted fans who cheered Kevin Durant's injury on Monday night.
Joe Rivera
Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights from the Warriors' come-from-behind victory over the Raptors in Game 5.
Warriors star Kevin Durant returned to the court Monday night for Game 5 of the NBA Finals only to go down early in the first half with a lower leg injury.
"We'll start him and play him in short spurts and see how he responds," Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters pregame.
The Raptors need just one more win to claim the franchise's first-ever NBA championship. Here's everything you need to know about how to watch the game.
VanVleet will wear a mouthpiece after taking an elbow to the face in Friday's Game 4 win over the Warriors.
How could the outcome of the 2019 NBA Finals impact Kevin Durant's decision this summer? Let's run through a few possible scenarios.
Joe Morgan
Here's everything you'll need to know about watching the 2019 NBA playoffs, including series-by-series TV schedules.
Here's everything you'll need to know about watching the 2019 NBA Finals, including the full series TV schedule and how to live stream every game.
This year's NBA Finals series isn't over just yet, but it feels very much like this Warriors dynasty is coming to an end.
Lowry seemed genuinely surprised when a teen reporter called him an "icon all over Canada."
The 6-6 wing is averaging 9.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in the playoffs and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2020.
McIlroy raised the jersey of Raptors guard Kyle Lowry after winning the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday.
"That's important to have that pride, to have the faith in what we're capable of," Green told reporters Friday.
"Well, we'll take a look at the tape, but we have been playing a certain style for a long time here," Kerr told reporters.
Winning an NBA championship is priceless, but the impact of acquiring Kawhi Leonard has had a much more tangible effect on local McDonald's franchises.
It's possible Kevin Durant may have already played his last game in a Warriors uniform.
Raptors coach Nick Nurse refuses to get carried away after Friday's victory, which gave Toronto a 3-1 series lead in the NBA Finals.
Klay Thompson and Kevon Looney returned to action in Game 4, though they could not help the Warriors to victory.
Fred VanVleet took an inadvertent elbow from Shaun Livingston in the fourth quarter and had to go to the locker room.
The Raptors have a chance to close the series out at home and knock off the two-time defending champions.
The Warriors nearly turned Game 4 into a blowout, but Raptors star Kawhi Leonard simply wouldn't let that happen.
A postseason career-high 36 points from Kawhi Leonard and an explosive third quarter led the Raptors to a commanding win in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
A third straight NBA title looks like a long shot for Golden State, but coach Steve Kerr expects team to battle to the end.
Kawhi Leonard was unstoppable once again as he carried the Raptors to a victory in Game 4.
The Warriors have trailed after three games in only four series in the last five postseasons. Can they flip the script against a talented Raptors team?
The singer's fanbase had a strong reaction to a video of Nicole Curran leaning over Beyonce to speak with Jay-Z at Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Kevin Durant injury update: It has been 30 days since the Warriors star strained his calf. The Warriors have a maximum of three games left.
The Raptors lead the series, but the Warriors are hoping to recover with Klay Thompson back in the lineup. Here's everything you need to know about how to watch Game 4 of the 2019 NBA Finals.
Kevon Looney suffered a fracture near his collarbone in Game 2 and missed a Game 3 loss for the Warriors.
Leonard only played in 60 of the Raptors' 82 games in 2018-19, but he's arguably having his best playoff performance to date.
The Warriors minority owner pushed Kyle Lowry when the Raptors guard dove into the crowd early in the fourth quarter of Game 3.
The incident occurred early in the fourth quarter when Lowry dove into the crowd.
The NBA said Stevens' behavior was "beyond unacceptable and has no place in our league."
Stephen Curry is confident DeMarcus Cousins will not allow a "rough" Game 3 to affect him going forward for the Warriors.
Ben Spratt
Grant Cohn from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat gave a little side eye to a reporter asking about the Warriors' hustle in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
The Raptors guard says there's no place in the game for physical contact or vulgar language by fans.
The cavalry never came for Warriors star Stephen Curry in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, and that allowed the Raptors to capture a 2-1 series lead.
Toronto took control in the third quarter against a depleted Warriors team and held on for a 123-109 win at Oracle Arena on Wednesday.
A solid all-around performance by Toronto's starters led to an easy win in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
A depleted Golden State team fell behind 2-1 in the NBA Finals after it lost to the Raptors 123-109 at Oracle Arena on Wednesday.
The Raptors are two wins away from their first NBA title.
"If he's arguing with these teenagers online, he's not going to be able to deal with that New York media," Barkley said.
Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam look for an answer against Golden State at Oracle Arena.
Dan Bernstein
Vince Carter, 42, has played 21 seasons with eight different teams.
A photo of Kawhi Leonard dunking over Giannis Antetokounmpo made its way into the world's largest art museum.
Durant hasn't played since Golden State’s second round series, while Thompson went down in Game 2 against the Raptors on Sunday.
"Bob (Myers) said, 'If we're going to win a championship, you have to get in shape.' I was like, 'Oh, I know. I'm fat as hell right now.'"
The NBA star peeked around a corner as the rapper walked through the tunnel of Scotiabank Arena and yelled some sarcastic words of encouragement at the Toronto native.
Leonard reportedly turned down a four-year, $22 million extension in March before electing to join New Balance.
Andre Iguodala deserves credit for making the clutch 3-pointer to seal Golden State's victory in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. But without Shaun Livingston, that shot never happens.
A poor start to the second half proved costly for the Raptors, allowing the Warriors to level the NBA Finals at 1-1.
Thompson left Game 2 against the Raptors with left hamstring tightness after he landed awkwardly while attempting a 3-pointer.
The 23-year-old appeared in a career-high 80 games in his fourth season with Golden State in 2018-19.
The Warriors woke from their slumber in the third quarter Sunday night, quickly changing the momentum of Game 2 — and perhaps the 2019 NBA Finals.
Fans in Scotiabank Arena gave Obama a standing ovation and began chanting "MVP."
What was the former POTUS saying to the commissioner of the NBA? Twitter users gave us their best guesses.
DeMarcus Cousins knows better than anyone how rare these opportunities are. When Steve Kerr called his number in Game 2, he wasn't overwhelmed by the moment — it was exactly what he had always wanted.
The Warriors' win didn't come easy, but now they have a chance to take control at Oracle Arena on Wednesday.
The Raptors were "disrespectful" to Andre Iguodala, according to the Warriors' Stephen Curry.
A torrid third quarter lifted the Warriors ahead of the Raptors and tied the series as it heads to Oakland.
Golden State fell behind early, but came on strong as usual in the third quarter.
Durant has been out since straining his calf in Golden State's Game 5 win over the Rockets in the second round.
The 21-year-old forward was upgraded to questionable for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors, but didn't appear in that contest.
The Raptors look to take a commanding 2-0 lead over the Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals before leaving Toronto.
Green was spotted with Drake at a Toronto restaurant inbetween Finals games.
"If you walk through the city or if I'm with one of my teammates, they show them a lot of love as well," Leonard said.
The two-time defending NBA champions fell 118-109 to the Toronto Raptors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday.
Patric Ridge
Leonard can opt out of his contract and become a free agent after this season's over.
Rivers’ quote raised plenty of eyebrows because the Clippers are the heavy favorite to sign Leonard in free agency.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr dared all of the Raptors not named Kawhi Leonard to beat his Warriors. Toronto's role players came through in a Game 1 victory at Scotiabank Arena.
Sean Deveney
Warriors Draymond Green and the rapper exchanged words after Golden State's 118-109 loss in Game 1 on Thursday.
The Reds first baseman and Toronto native wishes KD had stayed in Oklahoma City.
The Raptors won Game 1 despite off-nights by Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry, thanks to the spectacular play of forward Pascal Siakam.
Andre Iguodala left Game 1 with a leg injury late in the game.
Cousins said it was an "incredible feeling" to be out on the floor where he finished with two assists, two steals and three points.
The collective vibe surrounding the Raptors right now has not only brought together the city of Toronto, but also represents what it means to be Canadian.
Siakam finished with a playoff career-high 32 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two blocks to give the Raptors a 118-109 win.
The Raptors got their first-ever win in the NBA Finals with a 118-109 victory over Golden State in Game 1.
Raptors superfan Drake gets along with the Warriors players, but he is hiding his support during the 2019 NBA Finals.
Drake appeared to be in a playful mood after the Raptors' Game 1 win, but Warriors forward Draymond Green wasn't ready to deal with his antics.
Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights from Game 1 between the Raptors and Warriors. Follow the 2019 NBA Finals here.
Pascal Siakam was unstoppable in Game 1 on Thursday.
The former NBA player's track record at picking series this postseason isn't great, and the internet didn't let him forget that when he made his Finals pick.
The Warriors meet the Raptors in Game 1 of the 2019 NBA Finals on Thursday. Here's everything you need to know to tune in.
The ride-sharing app changed its car icons to the team logo.
Cousins suffered a torn quad in the first round of the playoffs, but is now pain free after missing the majority of the postseason.
Green said he has to become more of a "scoring threat" when Durant isn't out on the court.
The Warriors are favored to win their third straight title, but here are three players who could swing the direction of the series.
The Warriors have been here before and are considered favorites to win it all, but Toronto won't go down without a fight.
Here’s a breakdown of the NBA Finals between the Warriors and Raptors by the Opta numbers.
It’s not the kind of thing that NBA commissioner Adam Silver wants to hear, but as this NBA Finals series gets underway, Raptors star Kawhi Leonard has given load management a good name.
Everything you need to know about the Warriors and Raptors before the 2019 NBA Finals.
Cousins continues to be listed as questionable for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors, coach Steve Kerr told reporters Wednesday.
Durant has already been ruled out for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors on Thursday.
As the Warriors attempt to join a select group in NBA history, we look at the teams they are out to emulate by completing the three-peat.
Durant will not play in Game 1 against the Raptors while Cousins is questionable, coach Steve Kerr told reporters Monday.
“I could say it was playing time, but I think it was just me being emotional as a kid,” McCaw said.
“To answer your question, I’m taking the Toronto Raptors,” Barkley said Saturday on “Inside the NBA.”
Costs are higher than ever for Canada's lone contender considering its the first time the championship series will be held outside the U.S.
Following the birth of his son, Raptors guard Fred VanVleet broke out of a prolonged slump with the greatest three-game shooting stretch in NBA playoff history.
The Warriors will play for their third straight championship while the Raptors have a chance to win the first title in franchise history.
Drake was slightly more tame in Game 6, but in the end, he made his presence felt.
Antetokounmpo was asked if he thought experience was a factor in the Bucks' elimination, but he refused to answer the question.
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo could consider moving if his team can't reach the Finals, according to an ESPN report.
The second-year wing has been sidelined since undergoing an emergency appendectomy in mid-April.
Toronto's 100-94 Game 6 win over the Bucks on Saturday secured its move to the biggest stage in basketball.
It wasn't pretty, but the Raptors are headed to their first NBA Finals thanks to the second-largest comeback in franchise history.
The Milwaukee Bucks were beaten in the Eastern Conference finals, but Giannis Antetokounmpo expects them to be better next year.
Kawhi Leonard's experience as a former NBA champion made him the star man in the Eastern Conference finals, says Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The rapper has stolen quite a bit of the headlines leading up to Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo rampaged through just about every opponent over the course of a potential MVP season — until he ran into Kawhi Leonard, the Raptors' ultimate defensive cyborg.
Charles Barkley is over Drake's sideline antics during the 2019 NBA playoffs.
Game 5 included athletes chugging and Drake supporting the North. What's in store for Game 6?
Here's everything you'll need to know about watching the 2019 Eastern and Western Conference finals, including series-by-series TV schedules and live-streaming information for every game.
Follow Sporting News' hub for the 2019 NBA playoffs, including live updates, scores and a full TV schedule for every playoff game, every night.
After winning the first two games of the Eastern Conference finals, the Bucks have dropped three straight to the Raptors.
