Toronto, Ontario - Raptors Uprising GC’s historic 2020 campaign has come to an end.
Raptors Uprising, the NBA 2K League affiliate of the 2019 NBA champion Toronto Raptors, lost their first series of 2020, falling to Wizards District Gaming (2-0 series) in the semifinals of the $920,000 USD NBA 2K League Playoffs delivered by DoorDash. It was the team’s first defeat since July 12, 2019 (Week 11 vs. Heat Check Gaming)—a 407-day span.
“Obviously, we wanted to win the championship, but we came up short in the final four, which is nothing hang your head about because it’s hard to win in this league and we made down to the final four,” said star point guard Kenny Got Work. “Along the way, we also made history—we went 16-0—and I doubt that ever happens again the NBA 2K League.”
Kenny chipped in with a combined 56 points and 17 assists, while centre Sick One added 32 points and 25 rebounds in the rare losing effort.
Toronto made it to the final four of the playoffs for the first time following a monumental Season 3. The team established new NBA 2K League records for regular season wins (16), consecutive victories (29), and points in a single game 2x (109, 112)—all while becoming the first team to achieve an undefeated regular season.
Raptors Uprising also became the fastest side to ever clinch a playoff spot, accomplishing the feat 12 games into the season on Jul. 2 vs. Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai. Finishing first place overall in the regular season, the No. 1 seed would then win their first-ever playoff game Aug. 22 vs. Hornets Venom GT (2-0 series).
For their playoff efforts, the team—Kenneth “Kenny Got Work” Hailey, Eric “Timelycook” Donald, Maurice “ReeceMode” Flowers, Jake “Legit 973” Knapp, and Gerald “Sick One” Knapp—would earn $75,000 in prize money, bringing their season total to $267,000, the most ever won by an NBA 2K League team leading up to the postseason.
In addition to their regular-season success, Raptors Uprising also won the two in-season tournaments along the way: THE TIPOFF and THE TURN powered by AT&T. In doing so, they became the only franchise in the league’s three-year history to capture the first two tournaments of the year.
“Congratulations to Raptors Uprising GC on their historic 2020 regular season. Not only are they the first NBA 2K League team to finish the regular season an undefeated 16-0, but they also won the first two tournaments of the season – THE TIPOFF and THE TURN powered by AT&T…” said NBA 2K League Managing Director Brendan Donohue. “Their season is a testament to an amazing Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) organization that is committed to building a winning culture on the court and in the community.”
Kenny Got Work, the franchise’s first-ever draft pick, enjoyed a breakout season in 2020 which has included nine individual accolades since May: the NBA 2K League Fan Engagement, four Player of the Week (Weeks 1, 3, 8 and 11), two Player of the Month (May and July) and two Tournament Most Valuable Player (THE TIPOFF and THE TURN) awards. He established new career-bests in virtually every statistical category, averaging 35.3 points per game to lead the NBA 2K League in scoring.
The third-year veteran is also the frontrunner for 2020 Most Valuable Player Award and is a finalist for the Season 3 Defensive Player of the Year Award along with fellow backcourt partner and the league-leader in steals: Timelycook. Both awards will be announced on Fri., Aug. 28 as part of a special 15-minute preshow for the 2020 NBA 2K League Finals.
“I appreciate everybody who believed in me this season,” said Kenny Got Work. “I was on a mission. I had one goal and that was to dominate and make my presence felt, and I definitely achieved that goal.”
Owning a 22-23 overall record in all competitions heading into 2020, Raptors Uprising now boast an all-time record of 50-24 heading into the 2020 offseason.
The No. 3 seed Wizards DG (13-3) will advance to Friday’s NBA 2K League Finals where they’ll be met by the No. 4 seed Warriors Gaming Squad (13-3). The winner will be crowned NBA 2K League Champions and will take home a tidy $420,000 USD in prize money.
Wizards DG, that was a good series, you took care of business,” wrapped up Kenny Got Work. “The hungrier team won today, and it’s going to hurt for a while, but we’ll be back.”
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