There is no doubt we could ascribe the Raptors’ shakier moments in their first game of the 2019-20 NBA season to the emotional events that preceded it. On the opening night of their 25th season, Toronto played host to a ceremony that saw the Raptors unveil their first ever championship banner while the members of last year’s team received their bejeweled title rings. It would not have been out of place to have shed a few tears — at least one Raptor, Serge Ibaka, did — it was just that kind of night.
But we can only look back for so long.