Three Montrealers make NBA starting lineup, a league first

For the first time in NBA history, three Montreal players were featured in NBA starting lineups during the same game. Khem Birch and Chris Boucher were part of the Toronto Raptors’ starting five, while Oklahoma City Thunder’s Luguentz “Lu” Dort was his team’s starting Shooting Guard.

After decades of being overlooked, underrated, undeappreciated, underestimated in ????????, Montréal ???? is finally getting the respect we deserve. Thank you @Khem_Birch @chrisboucher & @luthebeast. Merci everyone before them who have paved the way. Keep applying pressure #OuiPapa 514

— Peter Yannopoulos (@PeteYannopoulos) April 18, 2021

The Toronto Raptors have been using Boucher in their starting lineup as of late, due to team injuries ruling out other players and his trailblazing first half of the season coming off the bench. Boucher led the game in points and rebounds, dropping 31 and 11, respectively, to help lead his team to a tight 112-106 win over Oklahoma City.

READ: Chris Boucher just might be awards-bound

Lu Dort also had an outstanding night, leading his team in points with 29 in his 31 minutes of playing time. As RDS basketball correspondent Peter Yannopoulos has pointed out, Dort has averaged a massive 32 points per game during his last three times gracing NBA courts. This rounds out to 97 points total.

Keeping Up With The Canadians ????????

Luguentz Dort | vs. Toronto

29 POINTS
5 THREE POINTERS
4 REBOUNDS
2 ASSISTS#ThunderUp | @okcthunder pic.twitter.com/yxb2KrtEOU

— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) April 19, 2021

This historic night proves that Montreal is a force to be reckoned with in the NBA. However, the ceiling has infinite room for growth. There are many Montrealers from the NCAA who are among the league’s most promising draft prospects. Syracuse’s Quincy Guerrier has already announced his intent to enter the 2021 NBA Draft.

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