Connect with us

Entertainment

Drake, Wayne Gretzky among the celebrities taking in Game 5 of the NBA Finals

Published

on

Drake — and the rest of the boisterous, red-clad crowd inside a rabid Scotiabank Arena — didn’t disappoint. (File Photo: @champagnepapi/Instagram)

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors left O Canada duties to their fans ahead of Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

Drake — and the rest of the boisterous, red-clad crowd inside a rabid Scotiabank Arena — didn’t disappoint.

The rapper/Raptors’ global ambassador sang and swayed to the national anthem before raising his hands skyward and pumping his fists at its conclusion Monday as Toronto looked to close out the best-of-seven title series against the Golden State Warriors.

Drake was on his feet most of the first half, demonstrably cheering every Raptors’ make and Warriors’ miss. He had words for Golden State forward Draymond Green after he picked up a technical foul midway through the second quarter.

NHL all-time leading scorer Wayne Gretzky, former Raptors star Vince Carter, retired French soccer icon Thierry Henry were also in the building, as was Nashville Predators defenceman P.K. Subban, who sported a custom made jacket in support of his hometown team.

The list of celebrities didn’t end there, with Canadian tennis player Eugenie Bouchard, Hollywood star Chris Tucker, Canadian actors Eugene and Dan Levy, former Raptors general manager Isaiah Thomas, Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux, San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane and Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas also in attendance.

Former Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista got a big cheer. He was joined in the arena by Maple Leafs forwards Nazem Kadri, Patrick Marleau and Mitch Marner.

Baka Not Nice, who’s signed to Drake’s OVO Sound music label, performed during a second-quarter timeout. Fellow Canadian rapper Tory Lanez followed up with a halftime set of his own.

Drake was at his seat near Toronto’s bench long before Monday’s tip-off, sporting a sky blue jacket with a black ‘X’ on the front before revealing a nondescript black t-shirt underneath.

The Canadian musician shook hands and shared a brief word with Green — the pair jawed at each other earlier in the series — and hugged ABC sideline reporter Doris Burke.

He also appeared to offer some friendly advice to the Warriors as they took the floor before the anthems.

Drake trolled injured Warriors star Kevin Durant in Game 2, which Golden State won 109-104 before Toronto took the next two in Oakland, Calif., to grab a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. Drake’s black hoodie that night included a picture of actor Macaulay Culkin, who played Kevin McCallister in the “Home Alone” movie franchise, mouth open and holding his face above the word “Kevin?!?!?!”

But Drake was noticeably understated in his attire Monday as Durant made his series debut in Game 5 after missing the last month with a calf ailment.

Durant appeared to re-injure his calf early in the second quarter. The crowd initially cheered as he sat on the floor holding his leg, but Raptors centre Serge Ibaka as well as guards Kyle Lowry and Danny Green waved at the crowd to stop.

 

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Maria in Vancouver

Headline6 days ago

Living With Anxiety: The Invisible Weight We Carry

There are illnesses we can see, and then there are the ones we learn to hide. Anxiety is often one...

Headline3 weeks ago

The Art of A Slow Weekend

We live in a world that glorifies being busy. Some people wear exhaustion like a badge of honour. Calendars are...

Headline1 month ago

Why We Chose an Intimate Wedding — And Why More Couples Are Doing the Same

Every wedding anniversary takes me back to one of the most magical days of our lives and reminds me why...

Headline1 month ago

Celebrating Turning 58

Birthdays have a way of making us pause—not to count the years we’ve lived, but to appreciate the countless blessings...

Lifestyle2 months ago

The Painful Reality of Losing Someone

Recently, I experienced the painful reality of losing someone through others. One friend lost her fiancé to death, while another...

Headline2 months ago

The Sobering Reality of Growing Old

Growing old brings a sobering reality: time is finite.  You watch your body slow down, see your parents age, and...

Lifestyle3 months ago

Dr. David Suzuki’s Legacy: A Celebration at 90

Celebrating Dr. David Suzuki’s 90th birthday on Friday, May 22  was a true privilege and a great pleasure! My husband,...

Lifestyle3 months ago

What I Know Now About Motherhood

Did you know that a mother’s cells can live in her child’s body for their entire lives? This fascinating phenomenon...

Headline4 months ago

Age with Audacity

At 25, I imagined life at 50 would mean I’d be past my prime and grumpy.  Little did I know,...

Lifestyle4 months ago

Spring Clean Your Body, Mind and Home

Spring has sprung! This season is perfect for spring cleaning, but why stop at our homes?  We can also rejuvenate...