John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Raptors are finally playing basketball in Toronto again after a long time away.
The ongoing pandemic forced a lot of things to be done far differently. One of those things was where the Toronto Raptors played their home games. Usually, it’s in Toronto at Scotiabank Arena, but that hasn’t been the case for 584 days, since February 28, 2020, the last time the Raptors played a true home game. The team concluded their 2019-20 season in the NBA’s Orlando bubble and played the 2020-21 home games in Tampa, Florida at the Amalie Arena due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
On Monday night, the team finally returned to their home court for a preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers, and they were happy to be home.
Toronto Raptors finally return to home court
Although it was just the preseason, Toronto treated fans to a 123-107 victory. It was a nice introduction to the team that is largely different from the one that took the court last time they were there. Notably missing is Raptors legend Kyle Lowry, who left to join the Miami Heat in a sign-and-trade this summer.
Toronto fans now have new faces like veteran Goran Dragic, Precious Achiuwa, Gary Trent Jr. and No. 4 overall pick Scottie Barnes. The new bunch will be tasked with getting the perennial playoff Raptors back to the postseason after missing last year with a 27-45 record.
Fans are glad to be able to watch the team play at home again and they will be even happier if they return to winning. Toronto’s regular-season home opener will be Oct. 20 against the Washington Wizards.