Raptors' Pascal Siakam dedicates Game 1 victory to late father

Pascal Siakam was arguably the best player on the floor during Game 1 of the NBA Finals and the Toronto Raptors’ emerging star dedicated the 118-109 win over the Golden State Warriors to his late father during his postgame media availability on Thursday.

“I think, it's a question I ask myself every single day and I wish I had the answer. People usually always tell me that 'I know he's proud of you' and I kind of wanted to hear it from his mouth and I think it'll be really cool,” Siakam said.

“Like I always say, man, it's bigger than basketball and every night that I go out there, I have a bigger purpose and I play for something bigger than just basketball and I think that's what makes it special.”

Pascal’s father, Tchamo, died in a car accident in October 2014 and never got to see his son play in the NBA.

Siakam is the favourite to win the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award and a championship would cap off a dream season for the Raptors’ forward.

He finished Game 1 with a team-high 32 points on 14-of-17 shooting, eight rebounds, five assists and two blocks.

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