Raptors and Trailblazers to play NBA preseason game in Vancouver this fall

Jun 29 2018, 2:03 am

After a one-year hiatus, the Toronto Raptors will return to Vancouver this year.

Following training camp in Vancouver, the Raptors will host the Portland Trailblazers in a preseason game at Rogers Arena on September 29.

The Raptors, who held camp in Victoria last year, last played in Vancouver in 2016, against the Golden State Warriors.

Canada’s only NBA team has made a habit of visiting cities across the country in recent years, playing preseason games in Vancouver three consecutive years (2014-2016), with stops also in Calgary (2016), Montreal (2014 and 2015), and Ottawa (2015).

Vancouver has shown up in high numbers, with enthusiastic crowds, for Raptors games in recent years and this one should be no exception.

“One of the many great things about being Canada’s team is that we get a chance to bring the game we love to different parts of the country, and to connect with our fans, whose support is so important to us throughout the season,” said Raptors president Masai Ujiri in a media release. “It’s also an opportunity for us to enjoy these spectacular cities – we’re really looking forward to our time in Vancouver and Montreal.”

It remains to be seen what the Raptors’ roster will look like, with big changes potentially coming this offseason despite a franchise-record 59-win season. We do know they’ll have a new head coach, as Nick Nurse makes his NBA head coaching debut in Vancouver.

Led by one of the best backcourts in the league, with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, the Portland Trailblazers are a good team coming off an impressive regular season. With a 49-33 record, Portland finished third in the Western Conference – behind only Houston and Golden State – last season.

“Vancouver is cool, I’ve been there a few times and I’ve always really enjoyed it,” said Lillard. “We’re looking forward to playing in front of fans from another great Pacific Northwest city.”

As part of the NBA Canada Series, the game will feature an expanded schedule of fan events, NBA legend appearances, and NBA Cares community outreach programs.

Tickets go on sale July 14. You can register for pre-sale ticket access through the NBA Canada Series website.

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