When the Toronto Raptors and Denver Nuggets meet at Vancouver's Rogers Arena on Monday night, it's more than just a warm-up game. Think of it as a big party celebrating how awesome basketball has become in Canada. Plus, thanks to Bell, it’s the 20th game in the NBA Canada Series!
This year’s game kicks off at 10 p.m. ET. Both teams are loaded and should make a splash in the playoffs, especially since they've got some amazing star players. It's a rare treat for Canadian fans to catch NBA stars up close in a city that knows how to throw a great basketball party. Vancouver is such a nice place to watch basketball. The arena has some modern amenities. The local cuisine is great, some restaurants offer the best seafood. Also, the convenience access by public transportation, makes it easier for local fans to come and enjoy.
Rewind: The NBA Canada Series Story
The NBA Canada Series started way back in 2012 as a way to get more people into basketball up here. Since then, 16 different teams have played 19 preseason games, with almost 360,000 fans showing up in six cities! It is actually a good platform to promote different cultures. The local communities like it so far. Sometimes there are musical performance to spice the game up. Also you can find some face painting events to help fans get ready for the game.
Vancouver has turned into a key spot for the series. Monday will be the seventh NBA Canada Series game at Rogers Arena. The last one was in 2023, when the Raptors beat the Sacramento Kings 112-99 in front of a packed house. There were a lot of people buying pop corn and other refreshments. The stadium workers put efforts into their jobs. They greet fans with smile.
The event's success proves how much Canada digs basketball. And Canada's been dropping NBA players. From the excitement in Montreal, the vibes in Winnipeg, and the energy in Vancouver, the Canada Series brings people together. Generally you can meet people from different backgrounds in those events. People do take pictures with friends and families to memorize those precious moment. The atmosphere in the venue makes you feel that basketball unite us altogether.
The Deets
The 2025 NBA Canada Series gets going on Monday, October 6, at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. This place used to be the stomping ground for the Vancouver Grizzlies (from 1995 to 2001). Now, it's like the go-to spot for NBA fans in Western Canada.
Rogers Arena has hosted all the Canada Series games in Vancouver. It held games in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2023. During the half time, sometimes the local sports teams would be inviting to do a show, as the support for another sport. There are also cheer leaders dancing to provide excitements for sports fans.
You can catch the game live on TSN in Canada and NBA League Pass everywhere else. The game will be aired in over 200 regions on TV, online, and social media, so you're going to see it a lot. With the increasing popularity of social media, you can find many short clips of the precious moments of the game. You can also share your own opinion about the game with your peers.
What to Watch For
The Raptors have been all-in on the Canada Series. Going into Monday, Toronto's record was 12–2 in the series, and they've won six in a row since 2016. Weirdly, the last time they lost was against the Nuggets, who they're playing this year. Denver won 108–106 in Calgary nine years ago. The fans in Calgary were really supportive. The local media had a lot of coverage on the event.
The Raptors have loads of fans, plus some younger ones. Coming back to Vancouver is a sweet chance to show off their new team and new coach, Darko Rajaković. People are into Toronto's style of tough defense and fast offense. There are basketball clubs promoting those techniques.
The 2025 NBA Canada Series is kind of like a homecoming for some Canadian players, like:
RJ Barrett (TOR) – He is becoming a key player for the Raptors after joining the team in December 2023. The fans love him a lot. They think he is going to be the future all star.
A.J. Lawson (TOR) – Another Toronto dude, Lawson joined the Raptors in 2024. People expect him to have great performances.
Jamal Murray (DEN) – From Kitchener, Ontario. Murray was drafted by the Nuggets in 2016 and helped Denver win their first NBA title in 2023. So you can see he is a key player for the Nuggets.
It's sweet to come home, Murray said before the game. Playing in front of Canadian fans, means a lot to me and my family. It's gonna be a great night. The locals seem to really appreciate his efforts. They love him playing for Canada.
Barrett and Murray played for Team Canada at the 2024 Olympic Games. They also snagged a bronze medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which hadn't happened since 1936. These dudes have inspired a new group of Canadian basketball players. Their success makes this year’s game even more exciting. Many youth see them as their role models, and follow their footsteps to play basketball. These basketball stars also encourage them to learn more about culture.
The 2025 NBA Canada Series lets fans check out the new guys.
For Toronto, Brandon Ingram might play as a Raptor for the first time. After being traded from the New Orleans Pelicans, Ingram got hurt. Now that he's good to go, Ingram brings scoring, playmaking to a Raptors lineup. He has a great skill set which will enrich the team.
Raptors fans will also see Collin Murray-Boyles, the team’s ninth pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. After killing it in the NBA 2K26 Summer League, the forward is pumped. His debut in the Canada Series is a solid time to show what he can do. The NBA 2k26 Summer League really helps people to understand his ability.
The Nuggets have Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon. Denver picked up Cam Johnson from Brooklyn, Jonas Valančiūnas from Sacramento, and veterans Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown Jr. Bruce Brown Jr. helped win the title. So you can see the Nuggets have a solid line up with different skills.
Monday's game is the second preseason game for Denver. It’s a chance to work on teamwork. The coach would definitely focus on the strategy and see different opportunities that they can find.
Snag Tickets and Join the Party
Tickets for the 2025 NBA Canada Series went on sale August 27. Vancouver is pretty thrilled about the NBA. Most of the tickets got sold in the first hour.
Expect to see events, basketball clinics, and programs where fans can meet NBA players and discover about basketball. Parents are so happy to see that their children can play and meet famous players.
The NBA Canada Series
It all started in 2012 with the Raptors beating the Knicks in Montreal and the Timberwolves topping the Pistons in Winnipeg. Now, the NBA Canada Series puts basketball in Canada on the map.
Fans have watched games with the Warriors, Celtics, and Clippers, and stars like Stephen Curry, Kawhi Leonard, and Luka Dončić on Canadian soil. The NBA wants to bring those great stars to enrich the Canadian soil.
For the NBA, it's not only about preseason games; it is about fans who are super into the game. The NBA wants to bring basketball into people's daily life.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 NBA Canada Series has everyone stoked. With Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and a Raptors team led by Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram, Monday should be good. Hopefully, there will be no big issues.
It’s a Canadian celebration, where people celebrate at home and love to see the NBA Canada Series. The NBA Canada Series have different sponsorships and commercials.
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