The Toronto Raptors are undoubtedly happy campers this week, having finally secured a victory for the first time since November 2nd. On November 18, against the Indiana Pacers, Toronto welcomed former Raptors star Pascal Siakam to town. With a valiant effort, they ultimately triumphed over their ex-franchise cornerstone and his team, finishing with a final score of 130-119.
What awaits the Raptors in their upcoming schedule is a home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 21, followed by a challenging four-game road stretch. They'll face the Cavaliers on November 24, the Pistons on November 25, the Pelicans on November 27, and conclude with an NBA Cup group play game against the Heat on November 29.
Beyond the challenges posed by upcoming opponents, immerse yourself in all the other news that has emerged this week about your Toronto Raptors.
Rodney Hood retires
Rodney Hood, a 32-year-old guard/forward and an eight-season NBA veteran who played for six different teams, has officially announced his retirement in a statement released to ESPN.
Hood entered the NBA back in 2014, where he was the 23rd overall pick in that year's draft. He would spend his four seasons with the Utah Jazz, before he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018 to help bolster their playoff-bound roster.
Following his time in Cleveland, Hood would arguably experience his best years in the NBA as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers, where he became a fan favorite. As Hood himself put it, a clutch go-ahead three-point shot during a playoff matchup against Denver that extended into four overtimes is primarily his claim to fame.
Hood would eventually be included in the Norman Powell-Gary Trent Jr. swap during the 2021 trade deadline. While his time with the Raptors wasn't particularly notable, he still spent some moments with the team during the tumultuous Tampa pandemic season.
Injuries significantly hindered Hood's career, but even as a role player of his caliber, it’s evident that there are fans forever touched by the moments these unsung heroes have brought to their NBA franchises. He didn't stay in Toronto for long, but hats off to Hood for making the most of his time in the league.
City Edition court is well-liked
As we discussed last week, the official unveiling of Toronto's City Edition jersey, which pays homage to the legendary Vince Carter, was nothing short of a success. Now, with an officially unveiled City Edition court to complement it, social media has been abuzz with admiration for the beauty of this nostalgic hardwood design.
Yeah, make this permanent.
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) November 21, 2024
No reason to do anything else. pic.twitter.com/T5g138P3EQ
With its glossy wood finish and striking purple hues, the court vividly evokes the Air Canada Centre courts of the 2000s, when Vince Carter and his teammates donned their iconic non-Dino white/purple jerseys.
Fast forward to 2024, and the same arena where Vince Carter soared through the air with his incredible athleticism now proudly features a prominent logo in his honor.
Fans couldn't help but show their approval for the court, with some even calling for the team to use it permanently from here on out. Unfortunately, that isn't the case; Toronto will only be showcasing the court during five games this season. The first contest in which the Raptors will use the court is against Minnesota on November 21 for their G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Toronto) night.
Scottie Barnes returns
Whether or not they've proven to be competitive without him, the Toronto Raptors undoubtedly miss their franchise star Scottie Barnes' presence on the court. Barnes has been missing in action for 11 straight games due to a facial injury sustained in a game against the Denver Nuggets on October 28.
After nearly a month on the sidelines, Scottie Barnes has been cleared to return and is set to start for Toronto in their November 21 matchup against Minnesota. However, Barnes will be placed on a minutes restriction and will not be wearing a protective face mask; instead, he will opt for goggles.
Scottie Barnes will make his return vs Minnesota tonight. He wound up missing 11 games and just over 3 weeks with the orbital fracture - right on par with the original timeline and the average layoff for NBA players with that injury.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) November 21, 2024
On a special night when Toronto is set to unveil its City Edition jersey and court, there is perhaps no better moment for Barnes to make his comeback than now. The Raptors aim to bounce back with another home victory as they face off against the Timberwolves on November 21 at 7:30 ET.