Setting The Pick: Assessing Toronto’s First-Round Opponents

Toronto won’t know their first-round opponent until the last day of the season but some will be more disadvantaged than others. 

Boston, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia are separated by half a game and jockeying for home-court advantage. 

Amidst that battle, all the talk has been about avoiding the sleeping giants in Brooklyn. 

But with Toronto guaranteeing a top-six seed, new concerns have emerged. 

Ahead of the Sixers’ clash with the Raptors on Thursday night, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps reported that Matisse Thybulle will be absent. 

On the latest injury report, the 76ers list Matisse Thybulle as “ineligible to play” tomorrow’s game in Toronto.

Since Jan. 15, unvaccinated NBA players have not been able to play games in Toronto as the Canadian government requires all individuals to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 

While it was all rumours previously, the injury designation paints a clearer picture. Things could change ahead of the playoffs, but the possibility of Thybulle missing away games in a series versus Toronto adds a complicated layer. 

Then there’s another report from the Boston Globe. After the Celtics sent their b-squad up to face the Raps on Mar. 28, speculation began swirling about the four starters who didn’t make the trip.  

When asked whether all of their rotation players would’ve been eligible to play in Toronto if healthy, their team spokesman declined to comment on their vaccination statuses. 

Jaylen Brown said he won't comment on his vaccination or any one else's status. Said he's eager to play in the playoffs after missing last season. Question from @TimBontemps #Celtics

Gary Washburn wrote in a column on Sunday, “According to an NBA source, at least two frontline players are not vaccinated.”

Toronto