Raptors Announce They're Not Coming Home For The Rest Of The Season
It looks like we'll have to wait until next season to see the Toronto Raptors play at home.
The team announced today that they will spend the remainder of the 2020-21 season playing their home games from Tampa, Florida.
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We think often of [...] all those we are missing back home, and we can’t wait until we can all be together again.
Masai Ujiri
“Home is where the heart is, and our hearts are in Toronto," said team president Masai Ujiri in the statement, adding that the team "think[s] often" of its fans and Scotiabank Arena family.
The Raptors cite "ongoing border restrictions" as their reason for staying in Florida. They also say they want to be mindful of Canada's public safety measures.
The Raptors have been playing their home games in downtown Tampa's Amalie Arena since the start of the season.
"Florida has been really welcoming to us and we’re so grateful for the hospitality we’ve found in Tampa and at Amalie – we’re living in a city of champions, and we intend to carry on the tradition of winning for our new friends and fans here," said Ujiri.
Despite being away from their home city and fans, the Raptors are still giving it their all. Hopefully, they can hold on to that energy throughout the coming months.