Game Thread: Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers preseason

The Toronto Raptors are back.

Preseason basketball tends to be a bit of a mess. For the Raptors, though, there’s simply too many unanswered questions not to be intrigued by tonight. All three of Scottie Barnes, Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa will make their real-ish basketball debuts in Toronto’s starting lineup tonight, while we’re sure to get a small taste of what a team with Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby as their top offensive players looks like strategically.

Of course, there’s also the fact this game is being played in Toronto. Broken hearts over the Blue Jays can mend a little tonight, as the Raptors are finally back playing where they should be — which gives everyone something to look forward to for the fall and beyond.

For tonight’s game, Philadelphia will be holding out Joel Embiid (rest) and Tobias Harris (knee soreness), while Ben Simmons continues to search for greater meaning out in the wild.

The Raptors, meanwhile, will be without Chris Boucher a bit longer than expected, as the team announced before the game that his finger injury will require surgery.

With that in mind, let’s get up for some NBA-adjacent basketball. Here are the game details.

Where to Watch

Sportsnet, 7 PM ET

Lineups

Toronto — Fred VanVleet, Goran Dragic, Scottie Barnes, OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa

Philadelphia — Seth Curry, Tyrese Maxey, Danny Green, Georges Niang, Andre Drummond

Injuries

Toronto — Gary Trent Jr. (sore thigh — out); Chris Boucher (finger surgery — out); Khem Birch (health and safety protocols — out); Pascal Siakam (shoulder surgery — out)

Philadelphia — Joel Embiid (rest — out); Ben Simmons (not with team — out); Charles Bassey (not with team — out); Tobias Harris (right knee soreness — out)