Toronto reacts to Raptors clinching NBA finals berth
Posted May 26, 2019 12:51 am.
Last Updated May 26, 2019 4:09 pm.
Cars honked, exhilarated fans chanted and long lines formed outside bars and restaurants on the streets of Toronto well into the night Saturday after the Toronto Raptors defeated the Milwaukee Bucks to clinch the NBA Eastern Conference final 4-2.
The Raptors will play in the NBA Finals for the first time after beating the Bucks 100-94 in a historic game that saw thousands of fans spill out of Jurassic Park, the outdoor fan zone, and into the streets that surround Scotiabank Arena.
A sea of fans chanted “We the North” and “Let’s go Raptors” while police cars, TTC buses and streetcars honked in celebration.
“I’m so pumped. I’m so happy, but so tired from cheering,” said 22-year-old Jesse Fairbloom outside the arena. “Getting home is going to be nuts.”
Yonge Dundas Square was quickly shut down by police, with traffic being diverted at Victoria Street.
#Toronto fans are celebrating the @raptors first trip to the NBA finals in Yonge Dundas Square! #WeTheNorth #Game6 pic.twitter.com/J4dVIoiXV8
— CityNews Toronto (@CityNews) May 26, 2019
The national anthem could be heard down Front Street as fans were let out of the game.
Raptors fans were also spotted along King Street between John Street and University Avenue, cheering and chanting to celebrate the historic win.
Several streetcars were delayed due to the heavy crowds leaving the Raptors games.
Toronto police confirmed to CityNews no arrests were made on Saturday night in connection with the celebrations.
Expect longer than normal travel times on 501 Queen, 504 King, 505 Dundas routes due to heavy crowd from Raptors game in downtown core.
— TTC Service Alerts (@TTCnotices) May 26, 2019
The city will have only a handful of days to recover before the Raptors host the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday.
