Game Thread: Toronto Raptors vs. Brooklyn Nets

If you had a dream of the Toronto Raptors tanking at the beginning of April, your reality is looking very different right now. All of a sudden, the team is in a dogfight of a playoff race — one of three teams that have gotten hot at the strangest time, with the Wizards (five straight wins) and Bulls (two straight wins) also chasing the tenth and final play in seed in the East.

Also, the team is getting healthy? It’s been legitimate weeks since Toronto has had any semblance of a full roster — whether it be because of COVID-19 protocols, injuries, or just (wink wink) rest days. Tonight will be the first time in a long time that the Raptors will not only be fielding many of their core players, they are legitimately the healthier of the two competing teams. Only three bench players — Rodney Hood, Paul Watson, and Jalen Harris — are out.

Meanwhile, the Nets will be Eastern Conference favourites down the line if all remains on track. For tonight, though, they’ll be without James Harden and Kevin Durant, with just Kyrie Irving dressing among the big three. Their depth has taken a hit with health and safety protocols too, as Nic Claxton will miss Wednesday’s game.

For more on how this matchup could shake down, check out this morning’s preview by Dylan Litman. Here are the full details.

Where to Watch

TSN, 7 PM ET

Lineups

Toronto — Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Khem Birch

Brooklyn — Kyrie Irving, Landry Shamet, Joe Harris, Jeff Green, DeAndre Jordan

Injuries

Toronto — Rodney Hood (knee — OUT), Paul Watson (knee — OUT), Jalen Harris (hip — OUT)

Brooklyn — James Harden (hamstring — OUT), Kevin Durant (thigh — OUT), Nicolas Claxton (health and safety protocols — OUT), Tyler Johnson (knee — OUT), Chris Chiozza (hand — OUT), Spencer Dinwiddie (knee — OUT)