When did the Toronto Raptors last play on Christmas Day?
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors have created enough unforgettable memories to last quite a while over the history of their franchise, but almost none of them have come during one of the biggest days on the NBA calendar in Christmas Day.
The Raptors are one of only four teams (Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Hornets) to play on Christmas Day twice or fewer. Memphis and Charlotte (the latter of whom hasn't played on Christmas ever) are the only other teams out there who have not won a Christmas game. This is what playing in Canada will do to you, it seems.
The Raptors need to hope someone at the league office is somehow interested in them enough to put them back in primetime, as they could get one more chance to pick up a Christmas win. It's been half a decade since their last opportunity to do so.
When was the last time the Toronto Raptors played on Christmas Day?
The Raptors last Christmas game, one of only two in franchise history, came in 2019 following their championship run. With Pascal Siakam sitting this game out, the Raptors were forced to start Patrick McCaw in his place as they fell 118-102 to the Boston Celtics.
Fred VanVleet managed to lead the charge with 27 points and six assists, while Chris Boucher had one of the finest games of his career with 24 points in 28 minutes off the bench. Kyle Lowry floated in an extra 14 points alongside Serge Ibaka's 12, but no other Raptors player scored more than six points in that game.
On the other end, the starting backcourt of Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker (remember when he was on the Celtics?) proved to be too much for Nick Nurse. The pair combined for 52 points, 30 of which came from Brown, as the Celtics managed to roll despite Jayson Tatum struggling mightily to the tune of just 11 points.
☘️ Celtics 118 🦖 Raptors 102
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) December 25, 2019
💪🏾 Jaylen Brown: 30 PTS, 10-13 FG
🦶 Gordon Hayward first game back from sore foot: 14 PTS, 6 AST
🇨🇦 Enes Kanter thanks Canada with 12 PTS, 11 REB
🎅 Merry Christmas, everyone
With how bad the organization looks right now and the nigh impossible heights they had to climb just to get the 2019 game under their belt, there is a good chance that fans don't see the Raptors on Christmas for a very long time, barring Scottie Barnes' ascension taking him to megastar territory.