Breadcrumb Trail Links
Sports
Basketball
NBA
Toronto Raptors
The NBA's marquee day in the regular season is Christmas Day. Twice the Raptors have appeared. A third appearance is way down the road.
Get the latest from Frank Zicarelli straight to your inboxSign Up
Published Dec 24, 2025 • 4 minute read
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes dunks the ball against the Miami Heat.
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes dunks the ball against the Miami Heat. AP Photo
Article content
During the peak of Vinsanity, the Raptors were featured on Christmas Day at a time when unwrapping gifts and sitting down to watch hoops wasn’t fashionable.
Advertisement 2
Toronto Sun
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
Enjoy additional articles per month.
Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
Enjoy additional articles per month
Get email updates from your favourite authors
Article content
As reigning NBA champions, the Raptors made the cut just as Christmas Day basketball viewing was on the cusp of being an annual staple.
Article content
Article content
In recent years, the NBA has used Christmas Day as its unofficial launching pad to kick-start its season.
The league’s in-season tournament just completed its third edition, a format designed to keep fans engaged with the necessary financial incentive for players to pursue in a league where no amount of money ever is turned down.
On Thursday, the league’s five-game package tips off with Cleveland visiting New York to play the Knicks — a no-brainer considering the Cavs emerged with the best record in the East last season against a Knicks team that is among the league’s iconic franchises.
opening envelope
Your Midday Sun
Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond.
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Thanks for signing up!
A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox.
We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again
Article content
Advertisement 3
Article content
Loading...
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Play Video
A rematch of the NBA Cup semifinal pitting San Antonio and OKC will follow, teams that hooped up Tuesday in the Lone Star State, a budding rivalry that is certain to draw eyeballs.
Then comes a date in San Francisco featuring the visiting Dallas Mavericks against the host Golden State Warriors, who once again are dealing with Draymond Green’s petulant behavior.
A Kevin Durant versus Luka Doncic matchup sees the Houston Rockets in L.A. to play the host Lakers before the evening’s night cap pits Minnesota and the host Denver Nuggets.
In each game, there’s either a star player — in a few cases multiple stars — or an intriguing matchup worth watching.
Once again, however, the behemoth known as the NFL will rain on the NBA’s Christmas Day parade, but basketball will nonetheless generate favourable ratings.
Advertisement 4
Article content
Where do Raptors fit in NBA pecking order?
It begs the question: Where do the Raptors fit in the NBA’s marquee pecking order?
The short answer seems pretty obvious, which is to say the Raptors are so far down the line that any talk of the team playing on Christmas Day is lunacy.
For some reason, this insecurity continues to reign when Canada’s lone representative, whether it’s the Raptors or the Blue Jays, are perceived as being slighted by American broadcasters or leagues themselves.
The more things change, as they say, the more they stay the same.
At the end of the day, it matters little to nothing what a U.S.-based commentator has to say about whatever topic they deem will generate a reaction in Canada.
All it does is speak to ignorance and insecurity, both of which aren’t new.
Advertisement 5
Article content
Winning takes care of everything. When the Raptors became the first team to qualify for the knockout stage of the NBA Cup, the franchise’s profile was increased.
Vince Carter was must-see TV, which is why the NBA scheduled a Toronto visit to Madison Square Garden.
As defending champions, the NBA had no choice but to showcase the Raptors on Christmas Day, which turned into a non-event as the visiting Boston Celtics took care of business.
As currently constituted, the Raptors don’t deserve any attention south of the border.
Lack of star power
For starters, they have no star. The team’s two best players, in no particular order, are Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes. Neither plays above the rim, neither has an offensive game that draws in viewers.
Advertisement 6
Article content
As a team, the Raptors aren’t entertaining, unless you describe quick heaves launched by Immanuel Quickley as entertainment.
Winning, star quality and enjoyment provide the sizzle when it comes to Christmas Day participation. Anyone with an iota of objectivity must concede the Raptors strike out on all three facets.
When will the Raptors return to the NBA’s biggest day in terms of viewership and exposure is anyone’s guess.
But does it really matter?
People pined for the Raptors to play on Christmas Day primarily due to insecurity. They wanted to feel a sense of belonging, for some stupid reason.
Wemby, SGA, KD, Luka, Ant and the Joker — the NBA has six of the most-recognizable figures in the league playing on Christmas Day. Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg gets to usher in his coming-out party against a Warriors team that remains viable as long as Steph Curry is healthy. Perhaps it’s the final time fans will get to see LeBron James suit up for the Lakers on Christmas Day.
Advertisement 7
Article content
Read More
[Miami Heat Simone Fontecchio (left) drives to the basket as Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes, right, defends in Miami Tuesday night. Lynne Sladky/The Associated Press
Raptors earn a much-needed win in Miami following two dispiriting losses in a row](https://torontosun.com/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors/raptors-earn-a-much-needed-win-in-miami-following-two-dispiriting-losses-in-a-row)
2. [Former NBA all-star Ben Simmons is taking up professional fishing.
Former all-star Ben Simmons, 29, focuses on pro fishing over NBA comeback](https://torontosun.com/sports/basketball/nba/ben-simmons-opting-pro-fishing-instead-comeback)
In other words, there are plenty of storylines to keep fans interested.
As for the Raptors, they’ll get a reprieve before taking to the court for a Boxing Day matchup in Washington against a woeful Wizards team.
The five-win Wizards are dead last in the NBA, while the 18-13 Raptors sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
Toronto wraps up its three-game trip in Washington before returning home for a five-game stay that tips off Sunday against the Warriors and eventually wraps up with a mini two-game set against the Atlanta Hawks.
The previous time the Raptors were home for five games, they narrowly beat Portland before dropping the next four games, including a beatdown by the Knicks in the NBA Cup quarterfinal.
Happy holidays to all.
fzicarelli@postmedia.com
Article content
Share this article in your social network
Comments