Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors to play exhibition game in Vancouver

Lace 'em up! The Golden State Warriors are coming to Vancouver to play an exhibition against the Toronto Raptors on Oct. 1.

The pre-season game at Rogers Arena will mark the Warriors debut of newly recruited basketball star Kevin Durant, and he'll get the chance to see what it's like to play with two-time MVP Stephen Curry.

Durant has been a difficult adversary for the Warriors, and his decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Warriors was the most highly anticipated move of the summer.

"As someone who spent some time as a kid growing up in Canada, I'm really looking forward to our preseason game in Vancouver," said Warriors guard, Curry.

"To have the opportunity to visit such a beautiful city and play in that exciting environment is going to be a lot of fun."

The Warriors will take on NBA All-Stars DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry in the game against the Raptors.

The Raptors will then face the Denver Nuggets at Scotiabank Saddledome in another exhibition game in Calgary on Oct. 3. The game features Canadian guard Jamal Murray, who was selected seventh overall by the Nuggets at the 2016 draft.

"The NBA has never been more popular in Canada," said NBA Canada vice-president Dan MacKenzie.

"Between the Raptors' Eastern Conference finals run, the excitement around the Warriors' record-setting season and the Nuggets' talented young core, our passionate Canadian fans are in for a real treat when these teams come to Vancouver and Calgary in October."

Tickets will go on sale Sept. 2.