The Raptors’ season of celebration begins Oct. 22.
The team will open its 25th anniversary season — and first as the NBA’s defending champion — at 8 p.m. on the first night of the regular season. They will host the New Orleans Pelicans and, presumably, rookie Zion Williamson on a night that will be sure to include an elaborate ring presentation and banner-raising ceremony at Scotiabank Arena.
It is one of the highlights of the league schedule that was released Monday — some tidbits leaked in early August — and also includes:
- The first Christmas Day home game in franchise history, a noon start against the Boston Celtics.