Drake's CBC mic drop and other highlights of the Raptors championship parade
'These moments are few and far between,' said the Toronto rapper in a speech that gave fans all the feels
It was a day Canadians won't soon forget.
Whether you're a lifelong basketball fan, a bandwagoner (not judging, promise!) or don't know the first thing about the game, there's no denying the Raptors' NBA Finals win has brought the country together in a way unlike almost any other sports event.
And nowhere was that more apparent than in downtown Toronto on Monday where more than a million people took to the streets to cheer on the team as they returned to the city after a history-making win against the Golden State Warriors, and to bask in the glow of the team's victory.
Here are five of the standout highlights from the day's celebrations:
1. Drake's mic drop
CBC reporter Greg Ross took his chances on live television by tossing his mic up to rapper Drake, who was perched at the edge of the team's double-decker parade bus.
And let's just say Drake happily obliged.
"Coming to you live, from the big city with the greatest in the world of champions," said Drake, before making a quip about Ross's "nice plaid jacket."
The rest, you've got to see for yourself.
2. Kawhi's 'A-ha-ha-ha-ha' moment
The usually quiet Raptors forward and superstar Kawhi Leonard proved he really is a fun guy, taking to the stage at Nathan Phillips Square to thank fans for the warm welcome to the Toronto team and to Canada.
Leonard joined the team only in the last year, after what was an emotional decision to trade out the team's best scorer DeMar DeRozan. That fateful decision may well have led the team to the championship.
"I just want to say thank you all for welcoming me here after the trade with open arms," the two-time Finals MVP and world champion said as fans cheered, many of them hopeful the star player with remain on with the team.
Leonard has said nothing about his future so far. He becomes a free agent at the end of the month.
"Enjoy this moment and have fun with it," Leonard said before wrapping his speech with the signature laugh, delighting the crowd.
3. Fans shut the city down
Toronto came to a virtual standstill as crowds packed the city's downtown core turning major arteries into seas of revelers dressed in red, white and black.
Things were so jammed that some fans took to Nathan Phillips Square's arches above the skating rink/water feature to catch a glimpse of the festivities.
This was the scene as fans lined up along the exit ramps.
4. Cradling in contemplation
Leonard was seen on the parade bus with his girlfriend Kishele Shipley and daughter by his side.
But when he had a moment alone, Leonard looked contemplative cradling his MVP trophy in his arms.
The pair's daughter was napping as the double-decker made its way along the parade route.
5. 'Give somebody a hug today'
Drake was giving fans all the feels closing out the official celebrations with an emotional speech about what the championship win means for his hometown Toronto, calling it one of the most important on-stage moments of his life.
"I want you to know that these moments are few and far between. So today I know you'll get on your phone and you'll look at your pictures, you'll look at the clips online ... but right now this is what I want you to do.
"I want you to turn to somebody that you don't know and I want you to give them a hug, I want you to tell them, 'Congratulations,' because we're from the greatest city in the world and we are the 2019 NBA Champions of the world."
"Give somebody a hug today!" he told the crowd. "I like to see all that love."
Want even more revelry?
If you missed out on the celebration or if you just want to relive all of the magic, we've got a 50-minute video recap for you right here. So go ahead and soak in all the championship glory.
