Toronto Raptors Primetime TV Games Ranked from Worst to Best
The Toronto Raptors aren't getting much love from the NBA in terms of primetime television billing. It's part of the gig being in Canada with 29 other squads in the United States, but as a 46-win team from the 2025-26 season, they probably deserve a little bit more respect. Here's a look at the seven games that the Raptors will have under the bright lights throughout this year's schedule, ranked from worst to best.
What happened?
The Raptors are taking a trip to South Florida to start the month of March, playing a pair of games against the Heat at the Kaseya Center. This will be the second night of a back-to-back, which might mean the nationally televised audience doesn't get to see each team at full strength. The Heat are expected to be better in the 2026-27 campaign with Giannis Antetokounmpo on the roster after being acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Why it matters for Toronto Raptors
The Heat ended up in the lottery last season and have not done much to acquire much depth on the roster. This could make the Heat the worst opponent the Raptors face on national TV and thus make this the least desirable of the seven matchups. The Raptors are awaiting the finalization of the investigation regarding Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers for alleged salary cap circumvention, but there is reason to believe the trade will be complete in the next couple of weeks.
What comes next?
The Raptors draw a matchup with the Celtics on the final Monday of January, and it's a good old-fashioned rivalry game. The Celtics may not have Jalen Brown anymore, but they still anticipate being one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors are looking to finalize a trade for Kawhi Leonard, but the investigation regarding the Los Angeles Clippers for alleged salary cap circumvention is still ongoing.
Key matchups to watch
The Raptors will face the Hawks on February 16, and both teams finished with identical 46-36 records last season. The Hawks traded for Canadian two-way player Lu Dort, while the Raptors are looking to finalize a trade for Kawhi Leonard. The Raptors are awaiting the finalization of the investigation regarding Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers for alleged salary cap circumvention, but there is reason to believe the trade will be complete in the next couple of weeks.
Recent performance
The Toronto Raptors have been struggling lately, with a recent form of 2W-0D-3L (LLWWL, most recent first). They lost their last two games, including a 114-102 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 3, 2026.
Conclusion
The Toronto Raptors will have seven primetime TV games throughout this year's schedule, ranked from worst to best. The matchups against the Heat, Hawks, Timberwolves, and Celtics will be crucial in determining the Raptors' playoff chances. With the investigation regarding Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers for alleged salary cap circumvention still ongoing, the Raptors' future remains uncertain.
