Raptors to play in Tampa

STATEMENT FROM MASAI UJIRI

“The Raptors worked diligently with public health officials at the local, provincial and federal level to secure a plan that would permit us to play our 2020-21 season on home soil and on our home court at Scotiabank Arena. These conversations were productive, and we found strong support for the protocols we put forward. Ultimately, the current public health situation facing Canadians, combined with the urgent need to determine where we will play means that we will begin our 2020-21 season in Tampa, Florida.

We want to thank all levels of government and their public health officials for their dedication to this process, and for looking after the health of Canadians. We commit to continuing our work together, planning for a safe return to play in Toronto. And as an organization, we remain committed to doing all we can to promote and demonstrate public health measures to help combat the spread of COVID-19 in Canada.

So we’ll be away from our home and our fans for now. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. I’m not sure that’s possible for us – we love Toronto and Canada, and we know we have the best fans in the NBA. For now, I’ll ask you to cheer for us from afar, and we’ll look forward to the day we are all together again.”

-RAPTORS-

Midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo named to MLS Best XI again

POZUELO NAMED TO 2020 MLS BEST XI

Toronto FC midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo has been named to the 2020 MLS Best XI, the league announced today. This marks back-to-back seasons the Spaniard has been named to the Best XI.

Pozuelo, 29, finished the regular season with 9 goals and 10 assists, leading the league in combined goals and assists. He also led MLS in chances created (70) and game winning goals (5) while becoming the first player in TFC history to start in every regular season match in a season. Pozuelo was named the MLS Player of the Month for September, as he scored four goals and added two assists across six matches. In addition, Pozuelo was named to the MLS Team of the Week on five occasions (MLS is Back Round 1, Round 2, Week 6, Week 7 & 8 combined, Week 15).

Last season, Pozuelo became the fifth player in club history to be named to the MLS Best XI joining: Dwayne De Rosario (2009, 2010), Sebastian Giovinco (2015, 2016, 2017), Justin Morrow (2017) and Victor Vazquez (2017). He is now the third player in club history to be named to the Best XI on multiple occasions.

-TORONTO FOOTBALL CLUB-

Warriors’ Klay Thompson to miss 2020-21 season with Achilles tear — Press Enterprise

Warriors guard Klay Thompson will miss the entire 2020-21 season with an Achilles tear, according to multiple reports. ESPN was first to report the news, and added Thompson, 30, is expected to make a full recovery “based on the type of tear.” Thompson underwent an MRI Thursday morning after suffering an injury to his right…

Warriors’ Klay Thompson to miss 2020-21 season with Achilles tear — Press Enterprise

Arsenal stars Luiz and Ceballos ‘in training ground fight with defender knocking team-mate to floor and drawing blood’ — The US Sun

DAVID LUIZ and Dani Ceballos have reportedly been involved in a training ground bust-up with the Arsenal midfielder hit in the face by the Brazilian. According to The Athletic, the incident occurred on Friday, with the ex-Chelsea centre-back reacting angrily after being tackled by the Spaniard. David Luiz reportedly hit Arsenal team-mate Dani Ceballos in…

Arsenal stars Luiz and Ceballos ‘in training ground fight with defender knocking team-mate to floor and drawing blood’ — The US Sun

NBA Draft Winners and Losers: Anthony Edwards, Deni Avdija’s wine cellar won big — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

It was also a good night to be the Charlotte Hornets looking for a star player.

NBA Draft Winners and Losers: Anthony Edwards, Deni Avdija’s wine cellar won big — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

Brad Stevens Reveals Simple Message For Gordon Hayward Amid Decision — NESN.com

Sign In The Boston Celtics world currently waits as Gordon Hayward’s decides whether or not to exercise his player option. It’s never a simple decision, no matter how cut and dry a situation might be. And Celtics head coach Brad Stevens respects the time Hayward’s taken to make his decision. In fact, he said been…

Brad Stevens Reveals Simple Message For Gordon Hayward Amid Decision — NESN.com

COVID Reopening: San Francisco Rejects Golden State Warriors Plan To Bring Fans Back To Chase Center — CBS San Francisco

A plan proposed by the Golden State Warriors to bring fans back to the Chase Center in San Francisco when the next NBA season starts in December was rejected Wednesday.

COVID Reopening: San Francisco Rejects Golden State Warriors Plan To Bring Fans Back To Chase Center — CBS San Francisco

Lakers have low-key draft night after trading first-round pick — Orange County Register

The reigning champions no longer circle draft night as their key offseason date – the start of free agency on Friday is their red-letter day.

Lakers have low-key draft night after trading first-round pick — Orange County Register

NBA Rumors: Warriors’ Klay Thompson Feared To Have Torn Right Achilles — NESN.com

Klay Thompson’s leg injury could be season ending. The Golden State Warriors guard reportedly suffered the ailment Wednesday during a workout. The severity was unknown, but thought to be serious, as Thompson was set to undergo tests Thursday morning. But now some grim information has come out about the injury. According to Yahoo! Sports’ Chris […]

NBA Rumors: Warriors’ Klay Thompson Feared To Have Torn Right Achilles — NESN.com

Warriors draft Nico Mannion, Justinian Jessup in second round — East Bay Times

For the second straight year the Warriors made a pair of draft picks in the second round, one who can be an immediate contributor and another long-term project. The Warriors selected Nico Mannion with the No. 48 pick and Justinian Jessup with the No. 51 pick in Wednesday night’s draft. Mannion, a 6-foot-3, 190 pound…

Warriors draft Nico Mannion, Justinian Jessup in second round — East Bay Times

Report: 76ers trading Josh Richardson to Mavericks — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

After coaching his son Austin Rivers with the Clippers, Doc Rivers will coach his son-in-law with the 76ers.

Report: 76ers trading Josh Richardson to Mavericks — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports