The NBA schedule is out which means it’s time to start looking ahead.
The Toronto Raptors have 82 games on their schedule, but obviously, not all 82 are created equal. Some carry more history, some feature the league’s biggest stars, and some could give us an early idea of what this Raptors team is actually capable of.
So, here are the ten games I’m circling heading into the new season.
10. Kawhi Leonard vs. the Clippers
Raptors at Clippers — Nov. 2, 2026 | Clippers at Raptors — Jan. 1, 2027
Of course, there’s a pretty big question mark hanging over this one, and the only reason this isn’t ranked higher.
With the Kawhi Leonard trade still on pause, we don’t actually know who will be wearing a Raptors jersey when these games roll around.
But if the deal goes through, this matchup jumps right onto the list. Toronto travels to Los Angeles on Nov. 2 to face the Clippers, before they match up again to ring in the new year on Jan. 1, and the storyline basically writes itself.
Kawhi left Toronto for Los Angeles in 2019, just months after helping the Raptors win the first championship in franchise history.
Now, seven years later, he’s potentially heading back the other way — returning to the team he helped bring a championship to.
9. Stephen Curry and the Warriors
Warriors at Raptors — Dec. 18, 2026
Any time Curry comes to Toronto, it’s a must-watch. There’s always a chance he’ll do something ridiculous from three and turn the game into his own personal highlight reel.
Also, if the Kawhi Leonard deal goes through, this one gets an extra layer of history. It would be a little 2019 Finals reunion (kinda), with Kawhi and a bunch of new Raptors teammates facing some of the Warriors team they beat to win the first championship in franchise history.
This one even gets a little more extra weight involved because of the recent Curry rumours. There have been questions about whether the Warriors superstar could eventually be on the move, and yes, Raptors fans can dream. Curry in Toronto would be absolutely nuts.
Realistically, though, he’s still a Warrior for now, and whether Kawhi is on the floor, Curry is on the floor, or both, any night featuring Steph is still worth circling on the calendar regardless.
8. Masai Ujiri returns to Toronto
Mavericks at Raptors — Jan. 27, 2027
This one is all about the guy hopefully sitting on the sidelines…and no, I am not talking about Nav Bhatia (no disrespect to the GOAT, of course).
I am talking about Masai. Ujiri will return to Toronto with the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 27, giving Raptors fans their first chance to see the former team president since his departure.
It’s hard to overstate what Ujiri meant to the Raptors. He helped pull the franchise out of years of uncertainty, guided Toronto to the Eastern Conference final in 2016 and, of course, was at the centre of the organization’s championship run in 2019.
Ujiri’s name still carries plenty of weight in Toronto. Hopefully, he’s travelling with Dallas that night, because Raptors fans should have one more chance to give him the standing ovation he deserves.
7. SGA comes home
Thunder at Raptors — March 10, 2027
It’s always a little different when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander comes to Toronto. The Hamilton native has gone from Canadian prospect to NBA superstar. He’s now a two-time MVP and one of the best players in the world.
And of course, there’s still the dream that one day he’ll put on a Raptors jersey. Until then, Raptors fans will have to settle for watching him come into Scotiabank Arena once a year…that is, at least if they don’t play each other in the NBA Finals.
6. The Alien’s UFO lands in Toronto
Spurs at Raptors — Dec. 16, 2026
Victor Wembanyama’s debut in Toronto was an unforgettable performance back in 2024.
During his first visit to the city, Wembanyama looked every bit like the alien he’s been nicknamed, putting up 27 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, two steals and 10 blocks while shooting 71.4 percent from the field.
However, last season was a different story. The hype that surrounded him the first time he played in 6ix was quickly diminished. The Raptors held him to 12 points and eight rebounds on 3-of-12 shooting.
So the question is, which Wemby are we getting this time? The Spurs will make just one trip to Toronto this season, and Wembanyama will look to bounce back after an injury-interrupted campaign and a disappointing end to San Antonio’s season, when they fell short to the Knicks in the NBA Finals.
5. The Greek Freak with the Heat
Heat at Raptors — Jan. 15, 2027
Giannis Antetokounmpo finally has a new home. After years of speculation about whether he’d eventually leave Milwaukee, the two-time MVP made the move to Miami this off-season.
Now Raptors fans get their first look at Giannis in a Heat jersey on Jan. 15. And there’s an interesting wrinkle here: Giannis playing under Erik Spoelstra. The combination of one of the league’s greatest players and one of its best coaches could be something special.
After an injury-plagued season, Giannis will be looking to remind everyone why he’s been one of the most dominant players in basketball.
4. The champs come to town — twice
Knicks at Raptors — Nov. 15 and Nov. 17, 2026
The New York Knicks will make two trips to Toronto in three days, playing the Raptors on Nov. 15 and Nov. 17. The Knicks are coming off their first championship in more than 50 years, while Toronto has had a pretty miserable time against New York lately.
The Raptors have lost their last 13 games against the Knicks, with their most recent victory coming way back on Jan. 22, 2023. So, yeah, it’s probably time to do something about that.
These games could also give us an early indication of how far Toronto has come. If the Raptors are serious about being a playoff team, going toe-to-toe with the defending champs would be a pretty good measuring stick.
3. Opening night
Bulls at Raptors — Oct. 21, 2026
It’s opening night. What more needs to be said? The Raptors will begin the season at home against the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 21, and even if we don’t know exactly what either team will look like yet, there’s something different about that first game.
Everyone is 0-0. Everyone has hope. Every new addition is exciting. Every young player could be ready to break out. Every question from the previous season gets a fresh start.
It may not be the most star-studded matchup on the schedule, but it’s the night that tells us one thing: NBA basketball is back. And that in itself should be enough to get it on the list.
2. Playoff revenge
Raptors at Cavaliers — Jan. 5, 2027
Nobody likes losing in the playoffs, especially in seven games. The Raptors will get their first shot at the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 5, months after Cleveland eliminated Toronto in a seven-game first-round series.
Now the Raptors get a chance to see where they stand against the team that ended their season.
The best part is they’ll match up again just a few weeks later. Toronto hosts Cleveland on Jan. 29 during AWS NBA Rivals Week. So Raptors fans get two cracks at the Cavaliers in January. The first one is in Cleveland. That should make it even more interesting.
1. LeBron James in a 76ers jersey
76ers at Raptors — Nov. 12, 2026
This one feels a bit weird. LeBron James playing in Philadelphia is something Raptors fans are going to have to get used to. James will make his first trip to Toronto as a 76er on Jan. 10, but the first meeting comes in Philadelphia on Nov. 12.
It will be his first game against the Raptors as an Eastern Conference player since his days with Cleveland, and Raptors fans know the history…LeBronto….need I say more?
LBJ has tormented Toronto for years, including a four-game sweep in the 2018 playoffs that became one of the franchise’s lowest points in recent history. Now he’s back in the East — and the worst part is he is not coming alone.
Philadelphia has a loaded roster featuring James, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Joel Embiid. On paper, it’s one of the league’s most dangerous teams.
For Toronto, this is more than just another game against LeBron. It could be an early test of whether this new-look Raptors team can actually hang with the best teams in the conference. And if they can? Well, buckle up, folks, because this season could be really interesting.
