Raptors Schedule 2022-23: Toronto reportedly set to host Cavaliers to open NBA season
The battle for the 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year award ended between Scottie Barnes and Evan Mobley, and now we’re set to see these two young stars square off to kick off their second season.
The 2022-23 NBA schedule won’t officially be released until Wednesday, August 17 at 3:00 p.m. ET, but leaks are everywhere with marquee matchups for the upcoming season.
Among those leaks, Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor reported that the Cavaliers will travel to Toronto on Wednesday, Oct. 19 to face off against the Raptors to start the 2022-23 season.
The NBA will release the full schedule tomorrow at 3 p.m. But it looks like it #Caves will open the 2022-23 season on October 19 in Toronto on the road, sources say @clevelanddotcom.
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) August 16, 2022
Barnes and Mobley is the headlining matchup, but with All-Stars Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland all taking the floor, we’re in for a great opening night matchup.
MORE: How Kevin Durant’s latest trade rumor affects the Raptors’ chance to become the star of the Landing Nets
Just last season, the Raptors finished five games ahead of the Cavaliers in the standings, but the two teams battled for seeding all year. And although Toronto finished with a higher set, Cleveland won the season series 3-1.
These two teams are no strangers to opening night against each other, and they go head-to-head in Game 1 of the regular season for the fourth time in Raptors franchise history — their most against any opponent.
History of Raptors opening night opponents
With a reported matchup against the Cavaliers scheduled for 2022-23, Cleveland will now be the Raptors’ most-played opponent on NBA Opening Night.
Toronto has played the Celtics, Nets and Wizards three times, and twice the 76ers, Knicks, Pacers, Pistons and Pelicans to start the year.
The Raptors have an all-time opening night record of 16-11 and hold only one losing record against the Wizards, Knicks, Heat and Magic.
Toronto is currently on a two-game losing streak on opening night, falling to the Wizards last season and the Pelicans the year before. Prior to those two losses, the Raptors had won seven consecutive Opening Night matchups.
| Opponent | games played | recording |
| Cavaliers | 4* | 3-0 |
| Celts | 3 | 2-1 |
| nets | 3 | 2-1 |
| wizard | 3 | 1-2 |
| 76er | 2 | 2-0 |
| curtsy | 2 | 0-2 |
| pacemaker | 2 | 1-1 |
| Pistons | 2 | 1-1 |
| pelicans | 2 | 1-1 |
| cops | 1 | 1-0 |
| hawks | 1 | 1-0 |
| heat | 1 | 0-1 |
| magic | 1 | 0-1 |
| rockets | 1 | 1-0 |
| TOTAL | — | 16-11 |
*Includes Opening Night 2022-23 matchup.