2019–20 Toronto Raptors season
The 2019–20 Toronto Raptors season was the 25th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Raptors entered the season for the first time in franchise history as the defending NBA champions, following their NBA Finals win over the previous two-time NBA champion Golden State Warriors in six games. The Raptors had the second best team defensive rating in the NBA.
| 2019–20 Toronto Raptors season | |
|---|---|
Division champions | |
| Head coach | Nick Nurse |
| General manager | Bobby Webster |
| President | Masai Ujiri |
| Owners | Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment |
| Arena | Scotiabank Arena |
| Results | |
| Record | 53–19 (.736) |
| Place | Division: 1st (Atlantic) Conference: 2nd (Eastern) |
| Playoff finish | Conference semifinals (lost to Celtics 3–4) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
| Local media | |
| Television | TSN Sportsnet CityTV (NBA bubble game) |
The Raptors lost 2019 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard in the offseason as he signed a 3-year, $103M max contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, becoming the first Finals MVP to leave the season they won a championship. The Raptors showed they were still championship contenders with Leonard gone, and went 53–19 in an eventual 72-game season on pace for 60 plus wins. They were led by Pascal Siakam being an All-NBA and All Star starter, Kyle Lowry earning his 6th All Star selection, Serge Ibaka and Fred VanVleet having their offensive best year of their careers, the impact of Marc Gasol and OG Anunoby on both ends, the success of undrafted rookie Terence Davis who was selected to the 2020 NBA All-Rookie Team, and Nick Nurse winning the 2020 NBA Coach of the Year Award.
The Raptors finished the season with the second best record in the league only behind the Milwaukee Bucks like the 2018–19 NBA season. On March 5, 2020, the Raptors became the second team to clinch a playoff spot by defeating the Golden State Warriors. The season was suspended by the league officials following the games of March 11, after it was reported that Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19.
The Raptors faced the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the playoffs where they swept the Nets in four games. They would go on to lose to the Boston Celtics in seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Raptors Franchise Icon Kyle Lowry made his 6th straight All Star appearance. Pascal Siakam made his first All NBA Team as he was selected to the 2020 All NBA Second Team. Siakam was selected as an All Star starter in his first NBA All Star Game in 2020.