2020–21 Toronto Raptors season
NBA professional basketball team season
NBA professional basketball team season
The 2020–21 Toronto Raptors season was the 26th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 2019–20 Raptors finished the season with a 53–19 record (in a shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic ), and lost in the Conference Semifinals to the Boston Celtics .
For the 2020–21 season, the Raptors played a shortened 72-game season, as the season start was delayed until December. The Raptors needed a temporary home arena as a result of travel restrictions placed by the Canadian government due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On November 20, the Raptors announced that they would be beginning the 2020–21 season at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida , (the home of the National Hockey League 's Tampa Bay Lightning ); they also considered the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville (home of the Nashville Predators ), the KeyBank Center in Buffalo (home of the Buffalo Sabres ), the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City , the Prudential Center in Newark (home of the New Jersey Devils ), or the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville (home of the Louisville Cardinals ).[3] [4] This would be the first season since 1995 (prior to the expansion of the Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies ) not to have NBA regular-season games played in Canada following the Raptors' announcement on February 11, 2021 that they will finish the 2020–21 season in Tampa, as a result of further border restrictions. It was also the first time since 2007 an NBA team has been temporarily displaced from their home city since the New Orleans Hornets were relocated to Oklahoma City due to the damage inflicted by Hurricane Katrina on stadiums in 2005. With a few exceptions, the Raptors played home games behind closed doors for the duration of the season. As with the Toronto Blue Jays (and unlike the Hornets) the Raptors did not change their geographical name on account of their temporary re-location.
The Raptors struggled with injuries throughout the season. On May 10, the Raptors were eliminated from playoff contention, ending their seven-year playoff streak and suffered their worst record since the 2011–12 season.[5] This was the first season under Nurse where the Raptors missed the playoffs.
This was the final season as a Raptor for longtime point guard and six-time NBA All-Star Kyle Lowry , who signed with the Miami Heat in August 2021.[6]
Draft
The Raptors held one first-round pick and one second-round pick in the draft. Because the Raptors had the second-best record in the league, their selections were made at 29th in the first and second round, respectively. With the 29th pick, they selected Malachi Flynn .[7] With the 59th pick, they selected Jalen Harris .[8]
Roster
2020–21 Toronto Raptors roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
F
3
Anunoby, OG
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
232 lb (105 kg)
1997-07-17
Indiana
C
46
Baynes, Aron
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
260 lb (118 kg)
1986-12-09
Washington State
G/F
95
Bembry, DeAndre'
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
1994-07-04
Saint Joseph's
C
24
Birch, Khem
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
233 lb (106 kg)
1992-09-28
UNLV
F
25
Boucher, Chris
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
1993-01-11
Oregon
G
8
Flynn, Malachi
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
1998-05-10
San Diego State
C
55
Gillespie, Freddie
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
245 lb (111 kg)
1997-06-14
Baylor
G
2
Harris, Jalen (TW)
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
1998-09-14
Nevada
G/F
32
Hood, Rodney
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
208 lb (94 kg)
1992-10-20
Duke
G/F
5
Johnson, Stanley
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
242 lb (110 kg)
1996-05-29
Arizona
G
7
Lowry, Kyle
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
196 lb (89 kg)
1986-03-25
Villanova
F
43
Siakam, Pascal
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
1994-04-02
New Mexico State
G
33
Trent, Gary
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
209 lb (95 kg)
1999-01-18
Duke
G
23
VanVleet, Fred
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
197 lb (89 kg)
1994-02-25
Wichita State
F
18
Watanabe, Yuta
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
1994-10-13
George Washington
G
1
Watson, Paul
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
1994-12-30
Fresno State
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended(GL) On assignment to G League affiliate(TW) Two-way affiliate player Injured
Roster Last transaction: May 16, 2021
Standings
Division
Conference
Notes
z – Clinched home court advantage for the entire playoffs
c – Clinched home court advantage for the conference playoffs
y – Clinched division title
x – Clinched playoff spot
pb – Clinched play-in spot
o – Eliminated from playoff contention
* – Division leader
Record vs opponents
Eastern Conference
Western Conference
Atlantic Division
Northwest Division
Team
Home
Road
Team
Home
Road
Boston
114–126
106–120
125–132
Denver
135–111
111–121
Brooklyn
114–103
103–116
123–117
Minnesota
112–116
86–81
New York
100–83
96–102
103–120
Oklahoma City
112–106
103–113
Philadelphia
110–103
102–109
93–100
Portland
117–122
111–112
Utah
112–115
102–106
3–3
1–5
2–3
1–4
Division
4–8
Division
3–7
Central Division
Pacific Division
Team
Home
Road
Team
Home
Road
Chicago
113–122
95–118
102–114
Golden State
130–77
105–106
Cleveland
112–96
105–116
135–115
L.A. Clippers
96–115
100–105
Detroit
105–129
112–116
104–118
L.A. Lakers
101–110
121–114
Indiana
113–125
107–102
114–129
Phoenix
100–104
115–123
Milwaukee
108–115
124–113
110–96
Sacramento
124–126
144–123
1–4
4–6
1–4
2–3
Division
5–10
Division
3–7
Southeast Division
Southwest Division
Team
Home
Road
Team
Home
Road
Atlanta
120–121
103–108
121–132
Dallas
116–93
110–114
Charlotte
111–108
116–113
104–114
Houston
122–111
99–117
Miami
102–111
101–81
108–116
Memphis
99–109
128–113
Orlando
115–102
113–102
123–108
New Orleans
99–113
116–120
Washington
103–101
129–131*
137–115
San Antonio
117–112
114–119
6–4
2–3
3–2
1–4
Division
8–7
Division
4–6
Conference
17–25 (Home: 10–11; Road: 7–14)
Conference
10–20 (Home: 6–9; Road: 4–11)
Overall
27–45 (Home: 16–20; Road: 11–25)
(* game decided in overtime)
Game log
Preseason
2020 pre-season game log Total: 2–1 (Home: 0–1; Road: 2–0)
Preseason: 2–1 (home: 0–1; road: 2–0)
2020–21 season schedule
Regular season
2020–21 game log Total: 27–45 (Home: 16–20; Road: 11–25)
December: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
January: 7–9 (home: 5–4; road: 2–5)
February: 9–5 (home: 2–2; road: 7–3)
March: 1–13 (home: 1–5; road: 0–8)
April: 8–7 (home: 7–4; road: 1–3)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
49
April 2
Golden State
W 130–77
Pascal Siakam (36)
Yuta Watanabe (8)
Flynn , Siakam (5)
Amalie Arena 3,085
19–30
50
April 5
Washington
W 103–101
Pascal Siakam (22)
Aron Baynes (8)
DeAndre' Bembry (5)
Amalie Arena 1,620
20–30
51
April 6
L. A. Lakers
L 101–110
Pascal Siakam (27)
Boucher , Flynn (8)
Malachi Flynn (4)
Amalie Arena N/A[a]
20–31
52
April 8
Chicago
L 113–122
Chris Boucher (38)
Chris Boucher (19)
Malachi Flynn (7)
Amalie Arena N/A[a]
20–32
53
April 10
@ Cleveland
W 135–115
Gary Trent Jr. (44)
Gary Trent Jr. (7)
Malachi Flynn (11)
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse 4,148
21–32
54
April 11
@ New York
L 96–102
Gary Trent Jr. (23)
Chris Boucher (12)
Chris Boucher (14)
Madison Square Garden 1,833
21–33
55
April 13
Atlanta
L 103–108
Pascal Siakam (30)
Khem Birch (7)
Pascal Siakam (7)
Amalie Arena 1,427
21–34
56
April 14
San Antonio
W 117–112
OG Anunoby (22)
Chris Boucher (12)
Malachi Flynn (7)
Amalie Arena 1,184
22–34
57
April 16
Orlando
W 113–102
Paul Watson Jr. (30)
Boucher, Gillespie (7)
Malachi Flynn (8)
Amalie Arena N/A[a]
23–34
58
April 18
Oklahoma City
W 112–106
Chris Boucher (31)
Chris Boucher (11)
Flynn, Watson Jr. (5)
Amalie Arena N/A[a]
24–34
59
April 21
Brooklyn
W 114–103
Pascal Siakam (27)
Pascal Siakam (9)
Pascal Siakam (6)
Amalie Arena N/A[a]
25–34
60
April 24
@ New York
L 103–120
Anunoby, VanVleet (27)
Birch, Lowry , Siakam (7)
Fred VanVleet (11)
Madison Square Garden 1,981
25–35
61
April 26
Cleveland
W 112–96
Pascal Siakam (25)
Khem Birch (6)
Kyle Lowry (10)
Amalie Arena 1,626
26–35
62
April 27
Brooklyn
L 103–116
Kyle Lowry (24)
Khem Birch (14)
Anunoby, Lowry (6)
Amalie Arena N/A[a]
26–36
63
April 29
@ Denver
L 111–121
OG Anunoby (25)
Khem Birch (8)
Kyle Lowry (7)
Ball Arena 4,025
26–37
May: 1–8 (home: 0–4; road: 1–4)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
64
May 1
@ Utah
L 102–106
Fred VanVleet (30)
Khem Birch (10)
Fred VanVleet (7)
Vivint Arena 6,506
26–38
65
May 2
@ L. A. Lakers
W 121–114
Pascal Siakam (39)
Pascal Siakam (13)
Kyle Lowry (11)
Staples Center 2,053
27–38
66
May 4
@ L. A. Clippers
L 100–105
Fred VanVleet (27)
Khem Birch (8)
Fred VanVleet (13)
Staples Center 1,714
27–39
67
May 6
Washington
L 129–131 (OT)
Pascal Siakam (44)
Pascal Siakam (11)
Pascal Siakam (7)
Amalie Arena 2,494
27–40
68
May 8
Memphis
L 99–109
Siakam, Trent Jr. (18)
Freddie Gillespie (8)
Birch, Harris , Siakam (4)
Amalie Arena N/A[a]
27–41
69
May 11
L. A. Clippers
L 96–115
Chris Boucher (16)
Boucher, Gillespie (7)
Flynn , Harris (4)
Amalie Arena N/A[a]
27–42
70
May 13
@ Chicago
L 102–114
Stanley Johnson (35)
Stanley Johnson (10)
Malachi Flynn (7)
United Center 3,395
27–43
71
May 14
@ Dallas
L 110–114
Jalen Harris (31)
Stanley Johnson (10)
DeAndre' Bembry (6)
American Airlines Center 4,493
27–44
72
May 16
Indiana
L 113–125
Malachi Flynn (27)
Khem Birch (14)
Stanley Johnson (7)
Amalie Arena N/A[a]
27–45
2020–21 season schedule
Transactions
Overview
Players Added
Via draft
Via trade
Via free agency
Players Lost
Via free agency
Via trade
Waived
Trades
Free Agency
Re-signed
Additions
Subtractions
See also
Notes
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Spectators were in attendance, but the exact number was not reported.
References
^ Maaddi, Rob (November 20, 2020). "Raptors to begin 2020-21 season in Tampa" . NBA.com . NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Retrieved November 30, 2020 .
^ Jamshidi, Soheil (February 11, 2021). "Raptors to finish 2020-21 season in Tampa" . NBA.com . NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Retrieved February 16, 2021 .
^ "Could NBA's Raptors call Bridgestone Arena home for the 2020-21 season?" .
^ "NBA rumors: Toronto Raptors to Newark's Prudential Center looking less likely as list of potential sites expands" . Archived from the original on November 18, 2020.
^ "Toronto Raptors to miss playoffs for first time since 2013" . Sportsnet.ca . May 10, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2021 .
^ "HEAT ACQUIRE KYLE LOWRY" . Miami Heat . Retrieved August 7, 2021 .
^ "Raptors select Malachi Flynn with 29th pick in 2020 NBA Draft" . Sportsnet.ca . November 18, 2020.
^ "Raptors select Jalen Harris with pick No. 59 in 2020 NBA Draft" . Sportsnet.ca . November 18, 2020.
^ "Raptors' virus issues worsen, game vs. Bulls called off" . NBA.com . February 28, 2021. Retrieved February 28, 2021 .
^ "Detroit at Toronto game postponed, tentatively moved to Wednesday" . NBA.com . March 1, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021 .
^ "TRAIL BLAZERS ACQUIRE NORMAN POWELL FROM TORONTO RAPTORS" . NBA.com . March 25, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021 .
^ "Kings Acquire Terence Davis" . NBA.com . March 25, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021 .
^ "Utah Jazz Acquire Matt Thomas" . NBA.com . March 25, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021 .
^ "Fred VanVleet re-signs with Raptors | NBA.com" . www.nba.com . Retrieved November 25, 2020 .
^ "Raptors Re-Sign Boucher" . Toronto Raptors . Retrieved November 25, 2020 .
^ "Report: Chris Boucher to re-sign with Toronto Raptors on two-year deal" . NBA.com Canada | The official site of the NBA . Retrieved November 25, 2020 .
^ "Raptors' Oshae Brissett: Gets multi-year deal from Toronto" . CBS Sports . Retrieved November 25, 2020 .
^ a b c d "Raptors Finalize 2020-2021 Training Camp Roster" . Toronto Raptors . Retrieved December 1, 2020 .
^ "Toronto Raptors finalize opening-night roster for 2020-21 NBA season" . ca.nba.com . Retrieved December 19, 2020 .
^ a b c "Raptors Sign Watson & Watanabe" . NBA.com . Retrieved December 20, 2020 .
^ "Raptors Sign Baynes" . Toronto Raptors . Retrieved November 25, 2020 .
^ "Raptors sign Baynes, Boucher to 2-year deals" . ESPN.com . November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020 .
^ "Raptors Sign Bembry" . Toronto Raptors .
^ "Report: Raptors add bench depth by signing DeAndre' Bembry" . Sportsnet.ca .
^ "Raptors Sign Len" . Toronto Raptors .
^ "CP Source: Raptors agree to deal with free-agent centre Alex Len" . Sportsnet.ca .
^ a b "Report: Toronto Raptors add Henry Ellenson, Yuta Watanabe and Alize Johnson to training camp roster" . NBA.ca .
^ "Report: Raptors agree to deal with forward Alize Johnson" . Sportsnet.ca .
^ "Yuta Watanabe, the NBA's second Japanese player, makes the Raptors after training camp" . bardown.ca . Retrieved December 19, 2020 .
^ a b "Raptors Sign Hall To 10-Day Contract" . Toronto Raptors . Retrieved March 31, 2021 .
^ "Raptors Sign Gillespie To 10-Day Contract" . Toronto Raptors . Retrieved April 8, 2021 .
^ "Raptors Sign Birch" . Toronto Raptors . Retrieved April 8, 2021 .
^ "Veteran center Marc Gasol signs with Lakers | NBA.com" . www.nba.com . Retrieved November 25, 2020 .
^ "LA Clippers Sign Forward/Center Serge Ibaka | NBA.com" . www.nba.com . Retrieved November 26, 2020 .
^ "TIMBERWOLVES SIGN RONDAE HOLLIS-JEFFERSON | NBA.com" . www.nba.com . Retrieved December 7, 2020 .
^ "Jazz Sign Yogi Ferrell and Malcolm Miller" . www.nba.com/jazz/ . Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ "Raptors waive centre Dewan Hernandez, open up additional roster spot" . sportsnet.ca . Retrieved November 26, 2020 .
^ "Raptors waive Brissett, Ellenson, Johnson ahead of regular season" . Sportsnet . Retrieved December 19, 2020 .
^ "Raptors waive veteran centre Len" . TSN.ca . Retrieved January 19, 2021 .
^ "Patrick McCaw: Waived by Raptors" . CBS Sports . Retrieved April 8, 2021 .
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