Raptors fans at ‘Jurassic Park’ want Drake to torment James Harden

'We need him to bring that 2019 energy'

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Published Apr 23, 2026  •  Last updated 5 minutes ago  •  3 minute read

Rapper Drake yells courtside as the Toronto Raptors take on the Golden State Warriors during first half Game 2 NBA Finals action, in Toronto on Sunday, June 2, 2019. Photo by Nathan Denette /THE CANADIAN PRESS

“Jurassic Park” was rocking outside Scotiabank Arena for the Toronto Raptors’ first home playoff game in four years Thursday night.

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Game 3 came following back-to-back losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers that found the Raptors down 2-0 in the best-of-seven series.

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As music blared, hundreds of Raptors fans squeezed into what is usually known as Maple Leaf Square to watch what was being called a must-win game. Besides improved performances from all-stars Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram, the gathered crowd was unanimously calling for Toronto rapper Drake, who is the club’s global ambassador, to torment Cavs stars James Harden, Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell.

“We need him to bring that 2019 energy. I want to see him chirping at Harden, chirping at Mobley, chirping at Mitchell and get them off their game,” said Ayoop Parik.

“We need another him to start a feud like he did with Steph Curry in the 2019 NBA Finals where he was picking fluff out of his hair and posting it on eBay for $75,000. We need that again,” Niagara Falls native Micartney Hilchey added.

“I know he’s out there promoting that album (Iceman), so I respect that he’s pushing that, but hopefully he’s there tonight. After all, he is the ambassador,” Sean Adams added.

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During the first half, Drake was a no-show with his son Adonis seated in his iced-out courtside seats for the first quarter of action and Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hyping up the crowd before tip-off.

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Also in the crowd were the Toronto Tempo’s Brittney Sykes and Kia Nurse, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman and Twitch streamer Kishka, a local content creator who uncovered the release date of Iceman earlier this week.

Ahead of Toronto’s final home game against the Brooklyn Nets earlier this month, Drake’s seats were adorned with icicles to promote his upcoming studio album, Iceman, which will be released on May 15.

“With the Iceman rollout there’s no better reason for him to be here for this first game,” Hilchey said. “If he doesn’t show up, it’ll be a disappointment for sure.”

“It’s always good to see the ambassador showing up,” Ahmed Fitha chimed in.

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History won’t be on the Raptors’ side if they go down 3-0

According to Sports Illustrated, teams that go up 3-0 in an NBA series are 157–0.

The stat wasn’t lost on Raptors fans Thursday night.

“We’re down 2-0. If you go down 3-0, it’s impossible to come back,” Daniel Nearo said. “As far as I’m concerned, tonight is a must-win. You have to put all the chips on the table and find a way to get a win and make it a 2-1 series.”

Many of the people gathered at “Jurassic Park” said Ingram and Barnes would need to play at an all-star level.

“We need Ingram to step up … he had seven points last game. Need a lot more out of him. The starters have to pick it up,” Parik said.

“You can’t go out and have another 3-15 game. That’s not feasible … He was brought in to be the finisher and he didn’t finish. He didn’t even start. He’s got to come out gunning,” Hilchey said.

“They gotta win or there done,” Adams succinctly put it. “You can’t go down 3-0. I don’t even want to think about that. Ingram needs to have a big game.”

But a Game 3 loss won’t be enough for the “Jurassic Park” faithful to force them to stay home Sunday, when Game 4 is scheduled.

“It’s the playoffs and it’s been a long time,” he said. “I won’t say no. Four years is a long time. You gotta enjoy it while you can.”

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