Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports
The set-up was perfect it was a national holiday in Japan. All the NBA hoop heads in the Land of Rising Sun anticipated watching the league’s only two Japanese players, Yuta Watanabe and Rui Hachimura, go toe-to-toe.
But Watanabe’s left ankle sprain prevented him from suiting up with the Raptors against his countryman, as Toronto squashed the Washington Wizards 137-115.
The second half of the NBA schedule is TBD and there may be another opportunity for Japanese fans to witness last night’s highly-anticipated match-up.
What remains certain is Watanabe will continue to gain Raptors’ adoration from Japanese fans. According to Sports Illustrated, 46% of all jersey sales on Japan’s online NBA store have come from Watanabe and Hachimura, and Yuta’s hustle has helped Toronto sell the most merchandise.