Kawhi Leonard has been named the NBA Finals MVP after the Raptors dethroned the Golden State Warriors in six.
The Raptors beat the Warriors 114-110 to capture its first-ever title in Oakland, Calif., in what will now be the last game at Oracle Arena.
Leonard, acquired in a blockbuster trade in the offseason from San Antonio, was on a tear the entire playoffs averaging just below 31 points per game. His 732 total points in the playoffs ranks him third all-time for most in a single post-season run, behind LeBron James and Michael Jordan.
Against the Warriors, he averaged 28.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists.
WATCH: The moment Raptors win NBA title captured across Toronto
Acquiring Leonard came with a timeline, as he is scheduled to become a free agent this summer.
“I’m going to enjoy this with my teammates and coaches and I’ll think about that later,” Leonard said.
“We all know where my (preferred) destinations were (last summer),” he said.
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“And the guys here have been making runs in the playoffs before I came, so I know they were a talented team. And I just came in with the right mindset, let’s go out and win ball games. I texted (Lowry) probably a day later — or the day that I got traded and told him … ‘Let’s go out and do something special. I know your best friend left, I know you’re mad, but let’s make this thing work out. And we are here today.”
This is the second Finals MVP for the 27-year-old. He took home the award after leading the Spurs over James and the Heat in 2014.
He finished with 22 points, six rebounds and two steals Thursday night.
WATCH: Toronto Raptors presented with NBA championship trophy
—With files from The Canadian Press
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