Toronto Raptors Wearing Retro Purple Throwbacks Tonight

Tonight the Toronto Raptors will be bringing back their (in?)famous purple uniforms with the giant red dinosaur on the front for their game against the Washington Wizards.

It’s the first time the Raptors have worn the uniform, loved by those too young to remember their original run and hated by most everyone else, since the end of the lockout shortened 1998-99 NBA season – Vince Carter’s rookie year.

Damon Stoudamire won the 1996 NBA Rookie of Year Award in the purple Toronto Raptors uniforms

The uniforms are being worn in celebration of the Raptors 20th anniversary season, they played their first game in 1995-96.

Additional details for what fans who attend the game tonight can expect from the official press release:

“All fans in attendance at Friday’s game will receive a special edition throwback purple t-shirt, which features the names of every player in team history designed within the claw logo. Former Raptors Alvin Williams and Antonio Davis will also be on hand to help kick-off the anniversary celebrations. Four Raptors alumni will be featured with a bobble-head giveaway throughout the season.”

A look at that special t-shirt here:

Here’s our 20th Anniversary t-shirt (and closer look at the logo) going to all fans at tonight’s game. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/lUwyWnvBgH
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) November 7, 2014

The Raptors will wear these purple throwback uniforms seven times in all in 2014-15, the full list of games below:

November 7, 2014 vs Washington Wizards
November 28, 2014 vs Dallas Mavericks
January 16, 2015 vs Atlanta Hawks
February 6, 2015 vs Los Angeles Clippers
February 27, 2015 vs Golden State Warriors
March 13, 2015 vs Miami Heat
March 27, 2015 vs Los Angeles Lakers

UPDATE (Nov 7/14 1:50pm ET):

The Toronto Raptors have tweeted out a couple of photos showing the throwback jerseys in their locker room ready to go — here they are:

The last photo above shows us that they will be wearing the jerseys with the 20th anniversary patch on the jersey, unlike the original promo photos which showed the jersey without any patches.