The Toronto Raptors earned perhaps their most important victory in franchise history on Wednesday night. Even so, beating the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of the NBA Finals was bigger than basketball for first-year coach Nick Nurse.

As the final buzzer sounded at Oracle Arena, officially putting the Raptors up 2-1 on the two-time defending champions, Nurse was captured by the television broadcast with his elbows on his knees, staring down at the floor deep in thought. He remained in his seat on Toronto's sideline even as players and fellow coaches around him rose to stoically celebrate the win, before getting up and, with tears in his eyes, sharing a quick embrace with Fred VanVleet.

On the postgame podium, Nurse explained that the recent death of his mother, whose birthday is June 5th, caused him to pause for a moment of introspection.

Article Continues Below
More Toronto Raptors News
Kings' Domantas Sabonis with question marks next to DeMar DeRozan and Raptors' Masai Ujiri
Sources: What Domantas Sabonis’ Kings future looks like amid Raptors trade rumorsBrett Siegel ·
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives to the basket against Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) in the second half at Fiserv Forum.
Raptors rumors: Giannis, Toronto hold ‘mutual trade interest,’ with a ‘wild card’Zachary Weinberger ·
Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri looks on court side before a NBA game against the Miami Heat at Scotiabank Arena.
Raptors rumors: Brian Windhorst hints at possible ‘big fish’ tradeZachary Weinberger ·
Duke Blue Devils guard Kon Knueppel (7) shoots the ball against Alabama Crimson Tide center Clifford Omoruyi (11) during the second half in the East Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center.
Ranking 5 best Kon Knueppel destinations in 2025 NBA DraftJulian Ojeda ·
Toronto Maple Leafs President and Alternate Governor Brendan Shanahan watched the game Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at Scotiabank Arena
Why Brendan Shanahan’s exit from Maple Leafs could be good news for RaptorsAlex House ·
Ranking 5 best Darius Garland trade destinations if Cavs blow it up
Ranking 5 best Darius Garland trade destinations if Cavs blow it upJulian Ojeda ·

“She passed right in the middle of the season on that west coast road trip, and she had said that she was glad she lived long enough to see me become a head coach and hoped she’d see me win a championship, but if she didn’t she would be watching anyway,” he said, per the Toronto Star's Doug Smith.

Marcella Nurse would have turned 95 years old on Wednesday. She is survived by her nine children, youngest of whom is the Raptors' coach.

If Toronto continues playing at the level it did in Game 3 come Friday night's contest, Nurse may find himself just one game away from becoming the eighth rookie head coach in league history to win a title.