2021–22 Toronto Raptors season
The 2021–22 Toronto Raptors season was the 27th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
| 2021–22 Toronto Raptors season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Nick Nurse |
| General manager | Bobby Webster |
| President | Masai Ujiri |
| Owners | Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment |
| Arena | Scotiabank Arena |
| Results | |
| Record | 48–34 (.585) |
| Place | Division: 3rd (Atlantic) Conference: 5th (Eastern) |
| Playoff finish | First Round (lost to 76ers 2–4) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
| Local media | |
| Television | TSN Sportsnet |
The 2020–21 Raptors finished the season with a 27–45 record (in a shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic), and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2013. This season marked the first time since the 2012–13 season where the Raptors had their own lottery pick, and with that pick, which landed 4th overall in the 2021 NBA draft, they drafted power forward Scottie Barnes from Florida State. Barnes would go on to win the 2021–22 NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
The season was the first season that six-time All-Star and longtime Raptor Kyle Lowry was not on the roster since the 2011–12 season, as he was traded in a sign-and-trade deal to the Miami Heat for Goran Dragić and Precious Achiuwa.
On September 10, 2021, the Canadian government granted approval for the team to play home games in Toronto for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the prior season, they played their home games in Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
After a win against the Atlanta Hawks and a Cleveland Cavaliers loss to the Orlando Magic on April 5, 2022, the Raptors returned to the playoffs after a one year absence and clinched their eighth playoff appearance in nine seasons. However, the Raptors were eliminated by the 76ers in six games in the first round after being down 3–0 in that series.