Toronto Raptors: 3 takeaways from Game 1 of 2019 NBA Finals

1. Pascal Siakam shines on the biggest stage

The Toronto Raptors were led by Pascal Siakam Thursday night, not their superstar. The Warriors were doing a fantastic job trying to limit Leonard’s offensive game, but in doing so, they gave an opportunity to his frontcourt partner to thrive.

Siakam wasn’t on most analysts top-five player rankings for the NBA Finals, but Thursday night, he was the best player on both ends for either team. That’s some high praise for a player who just started playing basketball professionally seven years ago.

In the third quarter alone, he scored 14 points, going 6-for-6 from the field and 2-for-2 from the charity stripe, which contributed to his 11 straight makes at one point in the second half.

All of this was done during the time the Warriors are notorious for going on big runs to take leads. Siakam responded in a big way, playing sound defense with sensational, highly efficient offense plays to limit the opposition’s runs. His team-high eight rebounds (tied with Leonard), two blocks and one steal showed his hustle on the defensive end of the court too.

Siakam has been a revelation of sorts this year. He is the team’s second offensive option and in the running for being the second-best player on the roster. If he’s able to continue his strong form of play, alongside Leonard’s postseason MVP form, the Toronto Raptors have a real chance of being the first international team to ever hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy at the end of this series. Three more wins to go.