Toronto Raptors beat Warriors in history-making Game 1 of NBA Finals

Toronto Raptors win Game 1 of NBA Finals — (Image credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Thursday night was the first NBA Finals game played outside the U.S., and the home-team Toronto Raptors gave fans a thrilling win. The Raptors beat the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors 118-109, handing the Warriors their first Game 1 defeat in five consecutive NBA Finals. Toronto's Pascal Siakam scored a career-high 32 points, topping star forward Kawhi Leonard's 23 points and center Marc Gasol's 20. Warriors' star Stephen Curry scored 34 points and Klay Thompson notched 21, but the Raptors quashed every comeback attempt.

Golden State's Kevin Durant sat out the game with a strained calf, and it's not clear he'll be well enough to play in any of the Finals. Game 2 is Sunday night in Toronto.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.