The beauty of NBA schedule release day, a jam-packed 80-game announcement per team (the other two games will be determined based on NBA Cup play), is that no matter how good or bad your squad might be, there are always matchups worth turning in for.
Fans get ready to scour the calendar and circle dates to keep an eye on regardless of what outcomes lie ahead.
The Toronto Raptors, for instance, are likely nobody’s favourite to hoist a Larry O’Brien trophy this season as they follow up a 2023-24 campaign that consisted of a player firesale, more injuries than I care to list and a 25-57 record that was their worst in over a decade. But even after all that, it doesn’t mean there won’t be games this season that have juice to them.
Especially considering the fact it’ll be the Raptors’ 30th anniversary campaign. Although the team has remained tight-lipped on details surrounding celebrations, they did unveil a commemorative logo along with a statement that mentioned “a commitment to a year-long calendar of special moments and events honouring the culture, the city and the icons that uplifted the Toronto Raptors.”
The season may be filled with trips down memory lane, reminiscing of days in the rearview, but the future is now and it’s time to see what a new era of basketball in Toronto holds.
So with expectations low and desire for excitement high, here are the top games to watch throughout Toronto’s 2024-25 NBA season.
Opening night
Oct. 23 — Cavaliers @ Raptors at 7:30 p.m. ET
The slate won’t be much cleaner for the Raptors this year than a 0-0 record and a home crowd full of re-energized fans as they welcome in Cleveland.
Even for a non-title contending squad, opening night is often filled with excitement and a glimmer of hope that if things go well to start the season, maybe they could surprise people. As false as that hope often tends to be — like when the Raptors beat the Minnesota Timberwolves to kick-off last year — it’s hope nonetheless. Something fans of a rebuilding team need most.
“They had to win tonight?!”
Nov. 11 — Raptors @ Lakers at 9:30 p.m. ET
Throughout the doldrums of the Raptors’ 2023-24 season was a January game in Los Angeles that to many was either a lowlight or highlight of the year depending on what you chose to focus on.
The Raptors lost a spirited 132-131 ball game to the Lakers that was marred by a 36-13 free throw disparity in favour of Los Angeles. The gap was even greater in the fourth quarter, as the Lakers shot 23 freebies compared to just two for the Raptors. Notably, Anthony Davis took 11 free throws in the final frame, putting up 20 as part of a 41-point performance.
After the game, Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic had arguably one of the most animated rants we’ve ever seen from a bench boss, describing the proceedings as “outrageous” and a “shame for the referees” while pounding the table as he spoke.
It was hardly a turning point in the season, but to see the usually mild-mannered Rajakovic stick up for his players like that, did show a side previously unseen.
We don’t yet know if Ben Taylor and his officiating crew plan to make an encore performance in Los Angeles for this matchup, but either way, the Raptors will look to pay back their coach’s tirade — which earned him a $25,000 fine — with a win this time around.
It’ll also be the Raptors’ second, and final, regular season contest against LeBron James and company, after taking on the Lakers in Toronto less than two weeks prior.
Although James often seems ageless, his time in the NBA appears to be nearing its end. Could this be the last time we see the NBA’s all-time leading scorer face off against a franchise he tormented for most of his career?
The NBA Emirates Cup begins
Nov. 12 — Raptors @ Bucks at 8 p.m. ET
It may not be a Larry O’Brien, but it’s still hardware at the end of the day. And the Raptors begin their chance for the NBA Cup by taking on a group that includes the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks.
Toronto will hope for a better showing than last year, winning just one game during the group stage of the inaugural in-season tournament.
It won’t be easy, however, kicking things off with a matchup against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. And although the Raptors won the regular season series against Milwaukee last year (2-1), only one of those games included the two-time MVP.
A date with ex No. 43
Nov. 18: Pacers @ Raptors at 7:30 p.m. ET
Pascal Siakam’s return to Scotiabank Arena this year won’t be as emotional as last year’s homecoming for the long-time Raptor, but we’ll probably still see plenty of No. 43 jerseys throughout the crowd to celebrate the former fan favourite.
In the first matchup of the season between Siakam and the squad he won a title with, expect there to be plenty of motivation for both sides. Raptors fans will get to see their old flame go head-to-head against the next face of the franchise, Scottie Barnes.
Will the latest duel leave fans with feelings of regret or a sense of affirmation that the grass was indeed greener on the other side?
The prodigal son returns
Dec. 5: Thunder @ Raptors at 7:30 p.m. ET
Over the last couple of seasons — and through a bronze medal-winning FIBA World Cup run — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has cemented himself as Canada’s top basketball player, and one of the premier talents in the NBA.
Needless to say, the Hamilton, Ont., native will get a massive ovation when he steps onto the court in Toronto. And for what it’s worth, Gilgeous-Alexander often puts on a show in front of the not-so-hostile crowd, averaging 26.5 points per game in four contests at Scotiabank Arena.
He also won’t be the only Canadian making an appearance that night, as the game could see as many as five players from north of the border. Montreal’s Lu Dort ought to be out there next to Gilgeous-Alexander on the Thunder while the Raptors will have RJ Barrett, Kelly Olynyk and Chris Boucher… O Canada indeed.
Shine bright in the Mecca
Jan. 8: Raptors @ Knicks at 7 p.m. ET
The Raptors were never a media darling down south, but it speaks to the state of the franchise’s perception that they’re tied for the fewest nationally televised games (four) this year with the Detroit Pistons and Portland Trailblazers.
Which is why they’ll need to make the most of their lone non-NBATV nationally broadcasted game as they step in front of the bright lights of Madison Square Garden.
Taking on former Raptor OG Anunoby — a month after he makes his first return (Dec. 9) to Toronto since being dealt as he was inactive for their matchup last year — could be enough motivation to put on a show as a national audience watches the Raptors for one of the few times this year.
The champs are in town
Jan. 15: Celtics @ Raptors at 7:30 p.m. ET
Taking on the defending champions is always worth tuning in for. Whether it’s to marvel at some of the league’s top talent, like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, or it’s to use the contest as a measuring stick to see how far your team currently is from being of that pedigree.
By their January matchup, the Raptors and Celtics will have faced off twice already but both of those games will have been played in Beantown. Welcoming the champs to Toronto should give the Raptors an added boost, and hopefully help turn their fortunes against a Celtics team that’s had their number as of late.
Toronto’s last win against Boston came on Mar. 28, 2022, and it required overtime. Since then, the Raptors have lost eight consecutive games to the Celtics and have been swept in back-to-back regular season series.
“Big Maple” comes home
Feb. 5: Grizzlies @ Raptors at 7:30 p.m. ET
By the time Zach Edey makes his hometown debut, we’ll have an idea of how he’s looked in the NBA. And whether he looks as physically dominant as the player who warranted the nickname “Zachille O’Neal” from the Hall of Famer himself, or just a lumbering big who struggles with the speed of the NBA game, Edey will surely get a warm welcome from the crowd.
The two-time Naismith men’s collegiate Player of the Year award winner has faced both adoration and ire throughout his NCAA career. Some believe Edey could continue the big man renaissance currently led by the likes of Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic, and others see him as a visual indicator that the game has left his archetype in the dust.
Raptors fans will get to decide for themselves in February.
Alien vs. predator
March 23: Spurs @ Raptors at 6 p.m. ET
After a rookie campaign that had hoop-heads believing Victor Wembanyama was more extraterrestrial than human, Raptors fans will have to wait a bit to get their dose of the seven-foot-four anomaly in person once again.
And when the reigning Rookie of the Year arrives in Toronto for just the second time, folks in attendance ought to hope for a different result. Last February when Wembanyama played his first game at Scotiabank Arena he dominated the matchup as he finished 27 points, 14 rebounds, 10 blocks and five assists en route to a 23-point victory.
The Raptors had no answer for the Frenchman, getting rejected on what felt like every time they tried to challenge him at the rim.
All the while, Toronto’s franchise cornerstone had one of his worst games of the season. Barnes finished the contest with seven points on 3-of-15 shooting to go with nine assists and five turnovers. Struggling against Wembanyama, although not uncommon for players in the NBA, clearly had the Raptors’ All-Star feeling some type of way as he spent chunks of the loss complaining to officials, sulking on the sidelines and making an abrupt exit to the locker room before the final buzzer.
Barnes later admitted his decision to do so was a “bad look,” motivated by his frustrating performance. Luckily, the 23-year-old will get his opportunity to rectify what he described as a “mistake” in March.
Take down the “Alien” and all is forgiven.