How Toronto Raptors fans ended up partying with players in Portland

The Toronto Raptors have been putting in the work. So too have some of their fans.

Despite battling through recent injuries and trade speculation, the Raptors have managed to win three straight on the road. They currently sit third overall in the Eastern Conference, and just four games back of the Conference-leading Detroit Pistons.

However on Friday night, it was a loyal group of fans that got the experience of a lifetime.

A group of about 20 traveling fans checked out the Raptors' win over the Portland Trail Blazers, and their cheering caught the attention of Toronto's coaching staff.

"I heard that group is making a trip to see the Toronto Raptors for the last 11 years," head coach Darko Rajaković said postgame.

"Seeing them sing the national anthem, supporting the team, it's really special," he said.

Rajaković's praise for the traveling fans didn't just end with his postgame comments. In fact, those fans got a postgame experience that most Raptors fans would only dream of.

As Rajaković confirmed that Sandro Mamukelashvili was getting the chain, he ushered his team into the hallway for a surprise.

"We're gonna give him this in some special place," said Rajaković.

"Where we going?" Scottie Barnes was seen saying on camera. "You know where we're going?"

That's when Mamukelashvili, Barnes, and the rest of the team started partying in the hallway with the loyal Raptors fans.

Sohal, one of the fans in the group, explained in a clip posted to the Raptors' social media how the celebration came about.

"One of the Raptors coaches pointed at us and asked us to come to the locker room," he said."

"All of the players came out, and we got to go in the huddle," Sohal said. "What a great moment."

It was a celebration boisterous enough to catch the attention of Trail Blazers media.

The Raptors have one more road game out west, taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday at 7:00 p.m.