Which celebrities have taken sides in the Raptors vs. Warriors showdown?
Drake may be the most devoted bold-faced basketball fan since Jack Nicholson, but he’s not the only big name sitting courtside. Here, a guide to celebrity NBA finals allegiances.
First, some Warriors fans.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z
At Wednesday night’s Game 3, Nicole Curran, who’s married to Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob, had the nerve to talk to Jay-Z. The Bey Hive reacted poorly.
Barack Obama
The ex-POTUS was in the Six last Sunday night, sitting side by side (and in the stands!) with NBA commissioner Adam Silver. Obama hosted the Warriors for a visit to the White House when he was in office. (The team refused the same invitation from Donald Trump last year.)
Obama is in the building for Game 2 of the #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/P4KigJ4vIp
— ESPN (@espn) June 3, 2019
Snoop Dogg
He may hang regularly in Toronto, but Snoop is a Warriors fan from way back—so much so that he appeared as a panelist on NBC Sports ahead of Game 4, during which he said that both Kevin Durant and Kawhi should stay where they are. (Woot to that!)
Jesse Williams
The Grey’s Anatomy star and activist took his front row seat early on Friday. (Maybe to ensure some quality hug time with Steph Curry?)
? @iJesseWilliams in the building early for Game 4 of the 2019 #NBAFinals! #NBACelebRow pic.twitter.com/8qxyGadr5N
— NBA (@NBA) June 8, 2019
Dave Chappelle
The comedian is a devoted “Dubs” fan who often works his love for the Warriors into his act.
Tim Cook
The Apple CEO wore his heart on his heart.
Apple CEO @tim_cook is at the Warriors-Raptors game tonight! #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/VZXNIljcU4
— MacRumors.com (@MacRumors) June 8, 2019
And here’s who’s pulling for the Raptors.
Drake
Maybe you’ve heard that Drake is a big Toronto basketball fan?
Shawn Mendes
Watching the home team (and hanging with Drizzy) kept Pickering’s most celebrated son in Stitches during Game 2.
Alessia Cara
The proud Bramptonian didn’t just attend Game 2, she sang the national anthem.
Elisabeth Moss
The Handmaid’s Tale actress and Toronto transplant cheered from the sidelines during the first round of the playoffs. Moss recently told Marie Claire magazine that she likes going to the games with “someone special who also likes the Raptors and the Leafs.” Sounds like her secret boyfriend is from the Six.
What a game @raptors fans!! AMAZING WIN!! Plus I got to hang out with these friends!! Thanks for coming tonight Elisabeth Moss, @ShawnMendes @vladdyjr27 !! Hope to see you soon!! Game 2 is Monday! Let’s do it all over!! #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/Ngm3hSv9sw
— The Raptor (@the_raptor) April 28, 2019
Lilly Singh
The YouTuber and soon to be First (and only!) Lady of Late Night will probably have trouble keeping a low profile at next year’s playoffs.
Justin Trudeau
While fans debate the existence of a “Trudeau Curse,” the PM seems pretty pleased to watch the Raps from his living room:
Rory McIlRoy
After winning big at the Canadian Open over the weekend, the champ (who knows something about northern pride) predicted our boys would take it in five.
Excited to be in Toronto at NBA Finals. Can’t wait to tee it up this week @rbccanadianopen @golfcanada
Big thanks @rbc @marydepaoli ⛳️?? pic.twitter.com/jODaM82p7u— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) June 3, 2019
Correction
An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified Shawn Mendes's hometown as Peterborough. Toronto Life apologizes for the error.