The light at the end of the tunnel is here for the Toronto Raptors and their recent COVID-19 outbreak, as a handful of rotation players return out of health and safety protocols tonight. The matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers at Scotiabank Arena will be abnormal for another reason, though (because there has to be something) as the game will be closed to ticketed fans.
It will be a strange end to a strange year for the Raptors, who could have several books written about their 2021: two outbreaks, a half-season in Tampa — and on the more positive side — the drafting and immediate impact of Scottie Barnes, along with the day one leadership from Fred VanVleet.