Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's expansion into Canada.

The Toronto Huskies played their first professional basketball game against the New York Knickerbockers at Maple Leaf Gardens, marking the beginning of professional basketball in Toronto.

In 1989 and 1992, the NBA organized exhibition games in Toronto with over 25,000 attendees each. These games contributed to the growing interest in bringing an NBA franchise to the city.

On September 30, 1993, PBF was conditionally awarded a franchise for the 1995–96 NBA season, making Toronto Raptors the 28th team in the league. The expansion fee was a then-record $125 million.

The Toronto Raptors were officially formed on November 4, 1993, when the NBA Board of Governors approved the decision of the Expansion Committee to grant Toronto its 28th franchise. The ownership group led by Toronto businessman John Bitove paid a record expansion fee of US$125 million.

In May 1994, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment announced the nickname for the new NBA team based in Toronto after conducting extensive marketing research and a nationwide vote. The final selection, 'Toronto Raptors,' was unveiled on Canadian national television.

On May 24, 1994, NBA legend Isiah Thomas is introduced as the vice-president of basketball for the Toronto Raptors and eventually becomes a part owner of the team.

On December 23, 1994, the Raptors Foundation made a significant $51,000 donation to the Toronto Star Santa Fund, aiding in reaching the $900,000 goal. This marked the first official community contribution by the NBA team's charitable fund-raising umbrella.

The Toronto Raptors were established in 1995 as an expansion team in the NBA, becoming the first Canadian team in the league.

In February 1995, the Toronto Raptors showcased their official uniforms at BCE Place in Toronto. The international launch of the uniforms took place on February 3 at the 'Super Show' in Atlanta.

On February 24, 1995, the Toronto Raptors revealed the new name of their home arena as the 'Air Canada Centre'. This announcement marked a significant partnership for the Canadian team.

On May 15, the Toronto Raptors revealed their team moniker on Canadian national television. The moniker was likely inspired by the success of the movie Jurassic Park. The associated logo was unveiled a few days later.

On May 16, 1995, the Toronto Raptors signed the closing documents to officially become a part of the NBA, solidifying their position as a professional basketball team.

From May 26 to 28, 1995, the Toronto Raptors conducted their inaugural free-agent training camp at Seneca College in Toronto, marking a significant step in building their team.

Brendan Malone, with 26 years of coaching experience including nine years in the NBA, was appointed as the inaugural head coach of the Toronto Raptors.

On June 24, 1995, the Toronto Raptors selected B.J. Armstrong of the Chicago Bulls and 13 other players in the 1995 NBA Expansion Draft.

On June 28, 1995, the Toronto Raptors selected Damon Stoudamire as their first draft pick, despite facing backlash from fans who preferred Ed O'Bannon. Stoudamire later goes on to win the NBA rookie of the year award.

In October 1995, the Toronto Raptors held their inaugural training camp at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Canada.

On October 14, 1995, the Toronto Raptors played their first preseason game at the Halifax Metro.

On November 2, 1995, the Toronto Raptors revealed their 12-man active roster for their first season. The lineup included Victor.

On November 3, 1995, the NBA made its historic return to Canada with the debut of the Toronto Raptors.

The Toronto Raptors were established on November 4, 1995, as Canada's second NBA team.

On March 24, 1996, the Toronto Raptors handed the Chicago Bulls one of their nine losses that season by beating Michael Jordan and his team 109-108 in front of 36,131 fans at SkyDome.

On April 22, 1996, one day after the first season ends, the Toronto Raptors finished with a 21-61 record.

On May 15, 1996, Damon Stoudamire was honored with the 1995-96 Schick Rookie of the Year Award for his outstanding performance in his debut season.

On November 1, 1996, Darrell Walker was announced as the new head coach of the Raptors, succeeding Brendan Malone who resigned due to philosophical differences with the team.

On November 15, 1996, the Toronto Raptors started their second NBA season by hosting the New York Knicks. This event marked the 50th anniversary of the first-ever NBA game where the Toronto Huskies hosted the Knicks.

In November 1996, Investments, Inc. acquired majority ownership of the Toronto Raptors after purchasing Bitove Investments, Inc.

On November 20, 1997, Isiah Thomas announced his resignation as the Executive Vice President of Basketball for the team and his intention to sell his position with the club.

On February 12, 1998, Maple Leaf Gardens, Ltd. announced its acquisition of the Toronto Raptors Basketball Club Inc. as well as the Air Canada Centre.

Glen Grunwald was promoted to the position of General Manager on February 13, 1998.

In February 18, 1998, Toronto Raptors made a significant move by announcing the largest trade in club history with Boston, involving seven players. This trade marked a major milestone for the team.

On April 22, 1998, Maple Leaf Gardens, Ltd. announced the completion of the purchase of the Raptors and Air Canada Centre.

On January 21, 1999, the Toronto Raptors held their training camp at the Air Canada Centre for the first time.

On February 21, 1999, the Toronto Raptors moved to the Air Canada Centre, now known as the Scotiabank Centre, where they currently play their home games.

On May 26, 1999, Vince Carter was honored with the title of Schick NBA Rookie of the Year for his outstanding performance in his debut season.

On October 5, 1999, the Raptors started their training camp at Air Canada Centre for their first full season.

On April 12, 2000, the Toronto Raptors made history by qualifying for the NBA playoffs for the first time in the club's history.

On June 21, 2000, Lenny Wilkens, the winningest coach in NBA history, was appointed as the new head coach of the Raptors.

On February 28, 2001, Charles Oakley achieved the milestone of becoming the Toronto Raptors' all-time leading rebounder by grabbing 11 boards in a game against Atlanta, surpassing Doug Christie's previous record of 1,448 rebounds.

On March 4, 2001, Vince Carter was named NBA Player of the Week after averaging 31.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists, leading the Raptors to four consecutive victories.

On April 3, 2001, the Toronto Raptors secured their second consecutive trip to the post-season by defeating the Sixers 100-85.

On April 18, 2001, Toronto Raptors defeated Washington 98-92, setting a franchise record for wins in a season at 47.

On May 4, 2001, the Toronto Raptors secured their first playoff win by defeating the New York Knicks with a score of 94-74 at Madison Square Garden.

At the start of the 2002-03 season, the Toronto Raptors faced a series of injuries leading to a dubious NBA record when they couldn't field a 12-man roster in a game. Key players like Vince Carter were affected by these injuries.

Canadian country singer Shania Twain helped unveil the new red Raptors alternate road uniform at the beginning of the 2003-04 season. The jerseys made their first appearance in a game against the New Jersey Nets, resulting in a season-opening victory for the Raptors.

After falling short of the playoffs in the previous season, Raptors' President Richard Peddie dismissed General Manager Glen Grunwald and head coach Kevin O'Neill along with his assistant coaches. This decision marked a significant restructuring of the team's management and coaching staff.

In 2005-06, Bryan Colangelo was hired as the general manager of the Toronto Raptors, replacing Babcock. He made an immediate impact by reshaping the roster and leading the team to significant improvements.

On January 15, 2006, Kobe Bryant, a star player for the L.A. Lakers, scores an impressive 81 points against the visiting Raptors, marking the second-highest points scored in a single game in NBA history.

Andrea Bargnani was selected as the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for the second consecutive time on March 1, 2007. He became the third Raptor ever to win the award twice, following Vince Carter and Damon Stoudamire.

On April 24, 2007, the Raptors secured their first playoff victory in five seasons with an 89-83 win over the New Jersey Nets. Despite ultimately losing the series 4-2, this win marked a significant milestone for the team.

The Toronto Raptors acquired six-time All-Star Jermaine O'Neal from the Indiana Pacers in a blockbuster trade before the 2008-09 season, aiming to strengthen their frontcourt.

In December 2008, Mitchell is fired after an 8-9 start and replaced by Canadian assistant Jay Triano.

On May 12, 2009, Jay Triano was appointed as the head coach of the Toronto Raptors for a three-year term.

In April 2010, the Raptors miss the playoffs after a season-ending injury to Bosh coincides with a slide down the standings. Bosh later signs with Miami, joining fellow marquee free agents Dwyane Wade and LeBron James.

Chris Bosh left the Toronto Raptors before the 2010-11 season to join LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in Miami, where he became a key part of future championship teams with the Heat.

On February 16, 2011, the Toronto Raptors faced the Miami Heat in an NBA game at the Air Canada Centre, resulting in a 103-95 victory for the Miami Heat.

In the summer of 2012, the Raptors make a trade with Houston to acquire point guard Kyle Lowry. He eventually teams with DeRozan to give the Raptors their greatest team success until that year.

The Raptors acquired Rudy Gay and other players in a three-way deal, sending Calderón to the Pistons and Davis to the Grizzlies, improving the team's roster.

The Raptors traded Rudy Gay to the Sacramento Kings, receiving several players in return and reshaping the team's lineup.

On December 19, 2014, the Toronto Raptors soft-launched a new logo featuring a basketball with claw marks, designed by Sid Lee. The launch was marred by a disorganized introduction and mixed reviews for the design.

On March 27, 2015, the Raptors secured the Atlantic Division title by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers with a score of 94–83.

The Raptors achieved their first road victory over the Miami Heat since November 19, 2008, by defeating them on April 11, 2015. This win marked Toronto's 48th win of the season and 22nd on the road, tying franchise records.

On June 25, 2015, the Raptors selected Delon Wright as their first-round pick in the 2015 NBA draft.

The Raptors announced the creation of their NBA G League team, Raptors 905, on June 29, 2015. The team started playing in the 2015–16 season.

On August 3, 2015, the Toronto Raptors unveiled new uniforms paying tribute to Toronto and Canada, featuring red, white, black, and silver colors. The design changes included chevrons pointing up and the incorporation of the 'We The North' slogan.

The Raptors inaugurated their new practice facility, the OVO Athletic Centre, on February 10, 2016, originally known as the BioSteel Centre.

On February 14, 2016, the Toronto Raptors hosted the NBA All-Star Game for the first time in franchise history, showcasing the city as a prominent basketball destination.

With a 105–97 victory against the Atlanta Hawks on March 30, 2016, the Raptors reached their first-ever 50-win season.

On April 6, 2018, the Raptors became Eastern Conference regular season champions for the first time in franchise history, setting new records for single-season wins and home wins.

On February 14, 2017, the Raptors acquired Serge Ibaka from the Orlando Magic in exchange for Terrence Ross and a first-round pick.

On February 23, 2017, the Raptors traded Jared Sullinger and two second-round picks for PJ Tucker.

The Toronto Raptors secured a victory with a score of 124-134 against the Houston Rockets on November 29, 2017.

The Toronto Raptors won against the Atlanta Hawks with a score of 129-122 on December 11, 2017.

The Toronto Raptors emerged victorious with a score of 101-124 against the Brooklyn Nets on December 14, 2017.

The Toronto Raptors faced a close defeat with a score of 118-117 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 16, 2017.

The Toronto Raptors secured a victory with a score of 104-130 against the Dallas Mavericks on December 18, 2017.

On January 1, 2018, DeRozan achieved a team record by scoring 52 points in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, making him the third Raptor in history to score over 50 points in a single game.

On May 11, 2018, Dwane Casey was fired as the head coach of the Toronto Raptors. He was later replaced by assistant coach Nick Nurse, marking a significant change in the team's leadership.

Nick Nurse was promoted to replace Dwane Casey as the head coach of the Toronto Raptors on June 14, 2018.

On July 18, 2018, DeMar DeRozan was traded to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, marking a major roster change for the Toronto Raptors.

On January 13, 2019, the Toronto Raptors broke the record for most points scored in franchise history after beating the Washington Wizards 140–138 points after double overtime.

On February 7, 2019, Marc Gasol was traded to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for C. J. Miles, Jonas Valančiūnas, Delon Wright, and a 2024 second-round draft pick.

The Toronto Raptors won their first NBA championship by defeating the Golden State Warriors 4–2 in the 2019 NBA Finals, with Kawhi Leonard being named Finals MVP.

Toronto Raptors fans celebrate as the team secures a 100-94 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, advancing to the NBA Eastern Conference Championship for the first time in the franchise's history.

The article about the Toronto Raptors was published online on May 28, 2019.

The 2019 NBA Finals, the championship series of the NBA's 2018-2019 season, began on May 30, 2019.

The Toronto Raptors won their first NBA championship by defeating the Golden State Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals.

On June 14, 2019, the Toronto Raptors were listed in The Canadian Encyclopedia by Adam Francis. The entry provides information about the basketball team.

The Raptors won their first-ever NBA championship in a thrilling game six in Oakland, becoming the first non-US team to achieve this feat. Kawhi Leonard was named Finals MVP for the second time in his career.

Matt Morgan signs a free agent contract with the Toronto Raptors and is assigned to the Raptors 905 team in the G League.

Due to travel restrictions imposed by the Canadian government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Raptors were unable to host games in Toronto and played their home games for the 2020–21 season at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

On February 28, 2021, due to NBA's COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols, the Raptors suffered their first postponement in a scheduled game versus the Chicago Bulls, with five players missing due to safety protocols.

After missing players due to safety protocols, including key players like Siakam, Anunoby, Lowry, and head coach Nurse, the Raptors lost 129–105 to the Detroit Pistons.

On September 10, 2021, the Canadian government allowed the Raptors to return to Scotiabank Arena for the first time since March 2020, requiring spectators to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to attend.

Scottie Barnes, whom the Raptors had selected fourth overall in the 2021 NBA draft, was named the 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year.

On January 17, 2024, the Raptors traded Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers for Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, Kira Lewis Jr., and 3 first-round picks.

On March 25, 2024, Jontay Porter of the Raptors is under scrutiny in an NBA investigation regarding his involvement in gambling activities.