Scottie Barnes was among the Toronto Raptors players that recently expressed their excitement to be returning to Canada to begin the 2021-22 season.
On Friday, the Raptors confirmed that they will return to Scotiabank Arena in Toronto to kick off their preseason slate of games on Oct. 4 versus the Philadelphia 76ers. It will mark the first home game in Toronto since Feb. 28, 2020.
Of course, the team played its home games last season at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, due to travel restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Raptors were even forced to hold their pre-draft workouts this summer in Tampa.
Needless to say, the team is quite excited to be returning home this season. Over the weekend, a couple of players on the team took to social media to celebrate the news.
?Home@ScottBarnes561 | @davidjohnson13 pic.twitter.com/eNtYRzrw47
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) September 12, 2021
Scottie Barnes posted this just now.
— Esfandiar | Es (@JustEsBaraheni) September 10, 2021
Looks like the Raptors are coming home. pic.twitter.com/fWlE03qBxY
The wait is over, @wacchi1013 ??#WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/WSWTDy0EGc
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) September 12, 2021
Barnes figures to be a big part of the future in Toronto as the organization begins life without Kyle Lowry. Raptors president Masai Ujiri said recently the team is not positioned to win now but has plenty of strong foundation pieces to build around.
Whether or not the Raptors make the playoffs this season remains to be seen, but fans will certainly be happy their hometown squad is returning home for good.
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