The Toronto Raptors ended 2021 on a strong note.
Powered by 31 points and nine assists from Fred VanVleet, as well as a 25-point, 19-rebound double-double from Pascal Siakam, the Raptors defeated the LA Clippers on New Year's Eve to improve to 15-17 on the season.
The Raptors are now in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings, sitting a hair behind the Boston Celtics (17-19) and New York Knicks (17-19) for the final spots in the Play-In picture.
MORE: VanVleet says All-Star buzz 'means a lot'
The Raptors will have an opportunity to close that gap on Sunday when they open 2022 with a matchup against the Knicks.
The Raptors and Knicks have already played against each other twice this season. On Nov. 1, OG Anunoby led the Raptors to a 113-104 victory over the Knicks with a career-best 36 points. A month later, on Dec. 10, Gary Trent Jr. scored 24 points in a 90-87 win.
The Knicks will be short-handed for Sunday's meeting. Not only have Julius Randle, Derrick Rose and Kemba Walker each been ruled out, but Evan Fournier is listed as questionable with a sore right ankle.
The Raptors, meanwhile, are returning to full strength. Toronto's win over LA marked the first time since Nov. 15 that Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam and Anunoby shared the court together. Additionally, Scottie Barnes, who has missed three straight games, is listed as probable against the Knicks.
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What channel is Raptors vs. Knicks on?
- TV channel: TSN 4 (Canada), MSG or League Pass (United States)
- Radio: SN 590
What time does Raptors vs. Knicks start?
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 2
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET | 12:30 p.m. PT
Raptors vs. Knicks injury report
| Team | Player | Status | Reason |
| Raptors | Barnes, Scottie | Probable | Injury/Illness - Right Knee; Tendinitis |
| Dragic, Goran | Out | Not With Team | |
| Johnson, David | Out | Injury/Illness - Left Calf; Strain | |
| Knicks | Fournier, Evan | Questionable | Injury/Illness - Right Ankle; sore |
| Noel, Nerlens | Out | Health and Safety Protocols | |
| Randle, Julius | Out | Health and Safety Protocols | |
| Robinson, Mitchell | Out | Health and Safety Protocols | |
| Selden, Wayne | Out | Health and Safety Protocols | |
| Sims, Jericho | Out | Health and Safety Protocols | |
| House Jr., Danuel | Out | Injury/Illness - Right Finger; dislocated | |
| Rose, Derrick | Out | Injury/Illness - Right Ankle; surgery | |
| Walker, Kemba | Out | Injury/Illness - Left Knee; sore | |
| Samanic, Luka | Out | G League - Two-Way |
Raptors next five games
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | Location |
| Jan. 2 | vs. Knicks | 3:30 p.m. | Scotiabank Arena |
| Jan. 4 | vs. Spurs | 7:00 p.m. | Scotiabank Arena |
| Jan. 5 | at Bucks | 8:00 p.m. | Fiserv Forum |
| Jan. 7 | vs. Jazz | 7:30 p.m. | Scotiabank Arena |
| Jan. 9 | vs. Pelicans | 6:00 p.m. | Scotiabank Arena |
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