For the first time in history, the Toronto Raptors are headed to the NBA Finals.
The Raptors wrapped up the Eastern Conference finals with a 100-94 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 6 on Saturday. The reaction around Canada was immediate. With more than 19,000 fans inside Scotiabank Arena and tens of thousands more outside the downtown venue, social media was abuzz as the city and country soaked in the victory.
NBA.com: What to watch in the Finals between Toronto and Golden State
Toronto's other professional sports teams led the way, offering congratulations immediately upon the final buzzer:
FINALS BOUND! 🏆
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 26, 2019
Bring it home, @Raptors! 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/KDJuWiwh1U
🙌🙌🙌
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) May 26, 2019
Congratulations to the @Raptors on winning the East and advancing to the NBA Finals! #WeTheNorth https://t.co/iCqnISxPTq
HISTORY IN THE 6IX! https://t.co/x0Lbqucls0
— Toronto FC (@torontofc) May 26, 2019
History. https://t.co/A1PiTaVPYS
— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) May 26, 2019
The hockey world took notice of the Raptors, including Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas, who pondered Raptors star Kawhi Leonard's multi-sport abilities:
That’s a great question, Peter!
— Kyle Dubas (@kyledubas) May 26, 2019
Let’s gooooo!!!!!!! TORONTO STAND UP #WeTheNorth
— Wayne Simmonds (@Simmonds17) May 26, 2019
Congratulations @Raptors !! Looking forward to the finals. #WeTheNorth https://t.co/JgY1DG4Jhe
— Eric Lindros (@88EricLindros) May 26, 2019
— Brendan Shanahan (@brendanshanahan) May 26, 2019
Raptors fever even crossed the political spectrum:
Started from the bottom, now we're here!
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) May 26, 2019
Congrats to the Toronto @Raptors on their win tonight to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history!
A great day for basketball fans across Canada! #WeTheNorth https://t.co/bjIIf9ZPSF
History made! @Raptors, it’s time to bring that championship to Canada! #WeTheNorth
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 26, 2019
Raptors/Fans/Drake: 100 Bucks: 94
— Norm Kelly (@norm) May 26, 2019
The star of Disney's "Aladdin" remake, a Toronto native, was in the building for the historic win on the weekend the movie opened:
Reactions continued to pour in from around the country Saturday night, with athletes and teams from across the sporting world chiming in:
More than a hockey country.#WeTheNorth #WeAreTeamCanada
— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) May 26, 2019
Congrats @Raptors! All of 🇨🇦 will be cheering you on in the #NBAFinals! #WeTheNorth https://t.co/zV7deTAxHf
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) May 26, 2019
DRAKE GIVES NICK NURSE ANOTHER SHOULDER RUB EXCEPT NOW THE RAPTORS ARE GOING TO THE NBA FINALS pic.twitter.com/yQqSWdusrB
— Faizal Khamisa (@SNFaizalKhamisa) May 26, 2019
Let's cut to the chase.
— Muhammad Lila (@MuhammadLila) May 26, 2019
Kawhi - please stay.
(RT to show him some 🇨🇦 love)#WeTheNorth #NBAFinals #Raptors #KingOfTheNorth pic.twitter.com/sx3V5xlMJi
Congrats @Raptors on making your way to the #NBAFinals!
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) May 26, 2019
We’re with you! All of Canada’s with you! #WeTheNorth 🇨🇦 https://t.co/hs6aW5IloR
EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPION!! 🏆 THE FINAL AWAIT THE @Raptors #WETHENORTH #champion #Raptors pic.twitter.com/mHk9pkzMov
— Charles Hamelin (@Speedskater01) May 26, 2019
WOW!!! We just witnessed history💯UNBELIEVABLE!🤯@Raptors
— Andre De Grasse (@De6rasse) May 26, 2019
Toronto is the best city in the world. We on a wave 🌊 🌊 #Raptors
— Jozy Altidore (@JozyAltidore) May 26, 2019
Shout to the @Raptors man. Amazing amazing. City is on fire. Keep going! 🇨🇦
— Marcus Stroman (@MStrooo6) May 26, 2019
Eastern Conference CHAMPS! Congrats @Raptors! All of Canada is going KAWHIAAZY! #WeTheNorh
— Scott Moir (@ScottMoir) May 26, 2019