Raptors games I will NOT be missing

Headlined by superstars, ex-Raptors and exciting Canadian talent, these matchups should be circled on your calendar.

Exciting news, folks: we are exactly four weeks away from the Toronto Raptors’ opening tip. And while we’d love to watch every game, 82 is a hefty target – especially with the team entering its first full season of the post-Siakam-and-Anunoby rebuild. So for your convenience we’ve sifted through the schedule, run the numbers and compiled a list of games you won’t want to miss. Starting with…

Oct. 23: Cavs @ Raptors

The Raptors open their season at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are running it back with the same core that led them to last year’s Conference Semifinals. Evan Mobley and Scottie Barnes – the third and fourth overall picks in the 2021 Draft – have faced off nine times in their young careers. In their head-to-head matchups, Mobley leads with a 5-4 record and more blocks and rebounds, but Barnes has the edge in points, assists and steals. Barnes also leads Mobley 1-0 in All-Star appearances. People will be re-writing and re-re-writing their 2021 re-drafts the entire night.

Players to Watch: Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley.

Miss this game?? Ha! I’d rather: skip my own son’s bar mitzvah.

Nov. 2: Kings @ Raptors

Though the team hasn’t officially confirmed, Josh Lewenberg of TSN reported that the Raptors will retire Vince Carter’s number 15 during this game against the Sacramento Kings. The ceremony will serve as the ultimate feel-good moment capping off a decades-long journey for Carter and his reception in Toronto. The night promises to be an emotional one, and a highlight of the team’s 30th-anniversary festivities. Not to be forgotten: DeMar DeRozan, whose jersey may very well hang next to Carter’s, is a Sacramento King! In this early November game, the Kings may still be figuring out how to incorporate him into the roster. On the other hand, he may take over the game and beat the Raptors himself. Unless… might this be the Davion Mitchell revenge game?

(Former) Players to Watch: DeMar DeRozan, De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Vince Carter.

Miss this game?? Ha! I’d rather: trade my franchise player for Aaron Williams, Eric Williams and two first-round picks.

Nov. 12: Raptors @ Bucks

In case you often find yourself yawning a few weeks into the NBA season, Adam Silver has a solution for you: the in-season tournament (known officially as the Emirates NBA Cup). The Raptors start off their second NBA Cup on the road against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. Despite consecutive years with first-round exits, the Bucks remain a formidable opponent led by the Greek Freak (top four in MVP voting each of the last six years) and Damian Lillard. Can the Raptors challenge them on their quest to a… well, to an NBA Cup trophy? (Reminder: point differential is a major factor in this competition. No garbage time!)

Players to Watch: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Gary Trent Jr.

Miss this game?? Ha! I’d rather: move to Wisconsin.

Dec. 3: Pacers @ Raptors

He’s not just one of the greatest Raptors of all time: Pascal Siakam is one of the franchise’s few stars who chose to stay in Toronto. Alas, the Raptors will face him nearly a year after trading him in January. Now a member of the Indiana Pacers, this is slated to be Siakam’s fourth game in Scotiabank Arena as a visitor. Fans will also be treated to one of the league’s most exciting, up-tempo young teams – led, of course, by All-NBA point guard Tyrese Haliburton, and featuring Canadian Olympian Andrew Nembhard (plus fellow Canadian Bennedict Mathurin). The Pacers will visit Toronto two weeks before this game, but I chose this matchup as it’ll be an NBA Cup game – meaning it’ll be played on a very purple court.

Players to Watch: Pascal Siakam, Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard.

Miss this game?? Ha! I’d rather: jeopardize the balance of the universe by reversing time and surrounding Siakam with more shooting in Toronto.

Dec. 5: Thunder @ Raptors

Yes, that’s right. Just two nights later, the Raptors host a can’t-miss game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder, coming off a Western-Conference-best 57 wins, are led by none other than Canadian phenom Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. After the pleasure of rooting for him throughout the Paris Olympics, Raptors fans will now be faced with the hopeless task of praying SGA doesn’t dice up their favorite team. Whether out of habit or appreciation, don’t be surprised if Scotiabank Arena cheers him on. The same goes for Canadian Olympian Lu Dort, against whom the Raptors will inevitably suffer some ugly possessions. As for last season, OKC advanced to the second round and lost in six games to the Dallas Mavericks, the eventual finalists. But this team was relatively inexperienced. Even head coach Mark Daigneault is younger than LeBron James. Now, with a postseason under their belts – plus the additions of Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso – OKC’s young core is poised to do big things.

Players to Watch: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Luguentz Dort.

Miss this game?? Ha! I’d rather: watch an entire 12-minute YouTube ad without skipping.

Jan. 8: Raptors @ Knicks

Lawsuits, trades and everything in between: the Raptors and the New York Knicks have become intertwined. This game will see ex-Raptors OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa host ex-Knicks Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett at their ex-home arena, Madison Square Garden. The Knicks, ex-punching bags of the Atlantic Division, reached Game 7 of the Conference Semifinals last year despite losing their ex-starting lineup to injuries. With the addition of ex-Net Mikal Bridges, they’re as well-positioned to make a deep playoff run as they’ve been in 25 years. With all the hype and the bright lights of Manhattan, the Knicks will be in the spotlight all year long. Conversely, the ex-relevant Raptors were deemed unpopular enough to have only one nationally televised (ESPN) game this season. The game in question? You guessed it: January 8 vs the Knicks at MSG.

Players to Watch: Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Julius Randle.

Miss this game?? Ha! I’d rather: get sued by James Dolan.

Feb. 5: Grizzlies @ Raptors

Last season was not kind to the Memphis Grizzlies, who finished 27-55. Ja Morant played just nine games, Desmond Bane played 42 and Steven Adams played zero. But Memphis had won 56 and 51 games in the previous two seasons. Will this year be a return to form? Adams is gone, but hoping to fill his seven-foot void is ninth overall pick and Canadian youngster, Zach Edey. The Grizzlies barred Edey from competing in this year’s Olympics, but watching him out-rebound the Raptors could provide a hopeful glimpse of Canada Basketball’s future. And let’s not forget: this will be Ja Morant’s first game in Toronto since December 2022. His last couple seasons have been strange, but Morant remains a singularly electric player to watch. And, like a moth to a flame, he cannot seem to resist dunking all over Jakob Poeltl. Just something to keep in mind.

Players to Watch: Ja Morant, Jakob Poeltl, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, Zach Edey.

Miss this game?? Ha! I’d rather: see the Grizzlies gatekeep Edey again in 2028.

Mar. 23: Spurs @ Raptors

Last time Victor Wembanyama played the Raptors, the lowly San Antonio Spurs won by 23. Wemby put up a triple-double with 27 points (10-of-14 shooting), 14 rebounds and 10 blocks (not to mention five assists and two steals). He did this all in just 29 minutes. Wembanyama is now an NBA sophomore, and has a new teammate in basketball PhD Chris Paul. This game offers Raptors fans the unique chance to watch as their team gets not only befuddled by Wembanyama’s alien-like dimensions and skills, but also dissected by Paul’s savvy. Two men, born 19 years apart, coming together to torch opponents.

Players to Watch: Victor Wembanyama, Chris Paul, Malachi Flynn.

Miss this game?? Ha! I’d rather: not.