Toronto Raptors: Top 3 individual performances from the 2019 NBA Playoffs

Ever since Toronto got rid of the Orlando Magic in five games during the first round, their playoff hardships only grew taller and taller as time progressed. They found themselves in a deciding Game 7 situation against Philly in the East semifinals, followed by losing two straight in the beginning and going down 0-2 for the best-of-seven series clash against the league leading Bucks.

Despite injuries to prominent names on the Warriors roster, nothing came easy for Kawhi and his Raptors. They hustled for every point on every possession and Leonard's calm assassin-like demeanour rubbed off on the entire team. Eventually, they made it past all obstacles to lift the Larry O'Brien Championship trophy in what was the franchise's ever title.

None of this had been possible had it not been for Kawhi's magnificient playoff run(averaging 30.5 ppg and 9.1 apg on 49% shooting from the field) capped off by a Finals MVP award, the second of his career. Siakam, Lowry, VanVleet, Ibaka and co. took turns to step up in times of distress and the team willed their way to eternal glory in Raptors franchise history.

Let's take a look at the three most outstanding individual performances of Toronto's 2019 championship playoff run.

#3 Pascal Siakam - NBA Finals, Game 1

Spicy P took it upon himself to win this game for his team.

Stat line: 32 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks on 14-17(82%) shooting fro the floor

This was the franchise's first ever NBA Finals game, and what a way is was to kick things off for the Jurassic Park in Toronto.

On a night when Leonard couldn't find his much-needed stroke(5-14 from the floor for just 24 points), the Cameroonian rose to the challenge in what might arguably be the most efficient Finals performance ever.

The 24-year-old made 14 of his 17 shots from the field along with 2-3 from beyond the arc, and finished with a playoff career-high total of 32 points. He also had 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal and a couple of blocks to go with his stellar offensive showing.

"I think we did pretty good job at home," Siakam said. "The fans are amazing, man. I just want to say that. From coming out for warmup to the end of the game, it was just the support and then going crazy. I've never seen anything like that."

#2 Kawhi Leonard - NBA Finals, Game 4

The Raptors won both road games en route to a 3-1 lead.

Stat line: 36 points, 12 rebounds, 4 steals and 5-9(55%) shooting from deep

Winning at the Oracle, especially in the playoffs, has proven to be a tall task for several teams over the past few years, but Kawhi and his squad made the Warriors seem like mere mortals despite having home court advantage.

The Klaw single-handedly out-duelled the Splash Brothers via his exhilarating double-double, sending the defending champs into an insurmountable 3-1 hole in the Finals. He shot a decent 11-22(50%) from the field, and took care of unfinished business from the time when he had to limp off the court during the West Finals in 2017 against GSW.

Kawhi made all his nine free-throws, while the Raptors, as a team, missed just one out of 24 FTs they were awarded that night. Yet again, Leonard exhibited nerves of steel required to beat the mighty Warriors on their home soil.

#1 Kawhi Leonard - Eastern Conference Semis, Game 7

Leonard's iconic and fateful dagger bounced four times before falling in.

Stat line: 41 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals on 16-39 shooting from the field + buzzer beater game winner

Every team needs an experienced talent like Kawhi to pull out the most memorable moments in the toughest of times. Unfortunately, only one team had him during the Sixers-Raptors series and that made all the difference. No 2 points of his total 41 on that night were more impactful than the ones he scored in the dying seconds of the game.

With the clock ticking, Leonard dribbled to the far corner and threw a high arching shot over Embiid's outstretched hands. History would note it down as shooter's bounce but in all actuality, that game winner was a fitting highlight to what Kawhi meant to this Raptors playoff campaign.

"It was great," Leonard said. "That's something I never experienced before, Game 7, a game-winning shot. It was a blessing to be able to get to that point and make that shot and feel that moment."

He dropped a game-high total of 41 points on a rough shooting night but made sure he got the most important shot of the series. Philly got eliminated via a truly heartbreaking 92-90 win in Game 7 and Leonard had his name written all over it.