Thursday night’s Toronto Raptors game is one of the most anticipated in memory, but with an unorthodox start time many fans could be scrambling to catch the opening tip.
Partly in order to avoid scheduling conflicts with the Philadelphia 76ers-Boston Celtics game, Thursday’s highly-anticipated Game 2 between the Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers is slated to tip-off at 6:00 p.m. ET — about an hour earlier than usual.
The start time can be awkward for those 9-5ers headed to Air Canada Centre to cheer on the home team, watching outside the arena in Jurassic Park, or planning to take in the action from the comforts of their own home.
Needless to say, any excuse you give your boss to leave work early will probably be met with a healthy dose of skepticism — especially if you’re already decked out in your favourite Raptors gear.
Enter: Masai Ujiri. The Raptors president of basketball operations put out a letter via the team’s Twitter account on Thursday afternoon imploring employers around the country to let their workers off early so they don’t have to miss a minute of the action:
“I’m personally asking for your help,” Ujiri writes, “by excusing your Raptors fan early so they can be ready in their seats at Air Canada Centre, outside in the square, or tuning in from home to show everyone that it is North Over Everything!”
Good guy, that Masai.
Now hurry up and forward this to your boss.
Once again, Game 2 tips off at 6:00 p.n. ET live on Sportsnet ONE.
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