At long last, the Raptors are back in Canada as they are set to open the 2021-22 NBA season against the Washington Wizards at Scotiabank Arena.
Fans will get their first real glimpse at the new-look Raptors, who begin a new era centred around franchise cornerstones OG Anunoby and Fred VanVleet and 2021 No. 4 overall pick Scottie Barnes, who gets his first taste of real NBA action after an impressive showing in the preseason. One key name from Toronto's core will be missing during the opener, as Pascal Siakam will be unavailable for the first month of the season while he continues to rehab his surgically repaired left shoulder.
MORE: One stat to know about each Raptor
The season opener also marks the Raptors debut of a number of players, including trade acquisitions Precious Achiuwa and Goran Dragic, who will each make a major impact throughout the season.
MORE: What we learned about the Raptors in the preseason
Toronto isn't the only team with a new look, as Washington has worked to rebuild around superstar guard Bradley Beal with the offseason additions of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Spencer Dinwiddie, Montrezl Harrell and Kyle Kuzma, among others. After finishing eighth in the East a season ago, the Wizards will be a team that the Raptors could find themselves jostling with in the standings all season.
Will the Raptors ride the momentum of an electric crowd into a 1-0 start to the season? Below, we've got you covered with everything you need to know about the season opener.
What channel is Raptors vs. Wizards on?
- TV channel: TSN 1/3/4 | RDS-Info
- Radio: SN 590
Raptors vs. Wizards can be watched on TSN 1, 3 or 4 as well as RDS-Info. This season, the TSN broadcast will again feature Matt Devlin and Jack Armstrong during the game and Leo Rautins will continue to hold an in-studio role despite his time as an analyst on Sportsnet coming to an end.
What time does Raptors vs. Wizards start?
- Date: Wednesday, Oct. 20
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET | 4:30 p.m. PT
Raptors vs. Wizards is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 20. The game will be played at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
Injury Report
(As of 12:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 20)
| Team | Player Name | Current Status | Reason |
| Toronto Raptors | Chris Boucher | Questionable | Injury/Illness – Left Finger; Dislocation - middle |
| Pascal Siakam | Out | Injury/Illness – Left Shoulder; Surgery - recovery | |
| Yuta Watanabe | Out | Injury/Illness – Left Calf; Strain | |
| Washington Wizards | Thomas Bryant | Out | Injury/Illness – Left Knee; Injury recovery |
| Rui Hachimura | Out | Not With Team | |
| Cassius Winston | Out | Injury/Illness – Left Hamstring; Left Hamstring strain |
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