The Raptors home game against the Knicks on Friday (ET) is historic.
It's the team's first-ever home game that Raptors Superfan Nav Bhatia did not attend.
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Why did Nav Bhatia miss his first-ever Raptors home game?
A guaranteed attendee at every Raptors home game since the franchise debuted in 1995, Bhatia was forced to miss Friday's game after he was advised to isolate In the interest of everyone's safety.
This past Sunday (Dec. 5) in Toronto., the Superfan was in attendance for the Giants Of Africa Gala event, one where some attendees have tested positive for COVID-19 including Raptors Vice-Chairman and President Masai Ujiri.
Raptors announcement on Masai Ujiri testing positive for Covid. pic.twitter.com/AFEuZAFmwq
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 10, 2021
Fortunately, Bhatia has shared that he isn't experiencing any symptoms so far (at the time of his social post late on Friday).
In the post, as part of his two requests to Raptors fans in the arena, he says "take good care of my friend Kal Penn. I want you all to show him why this is the best fanbase in the league and give him alot of love tonight."
Kal Penn, an American actor who was born to Indian immigrant parents, is set to produce and star in a biopic on Bhatia.
So I insist to. @kalpenn take my seat enjoy the game. He sends me this pic saying "I might be playing the Superfan but nobody will ever be the Superfan except you and this seat A12 will always be yours" I got emotional - I think we chose the right person. God bless you Kal pic.twitter.com/M9lYwDawjY
— Nav Bhatia Superfan (@superfan_nav) December 11, 2021
History of Nav Bhatia's Raptors super fandom
Last year, Bhatia's super fandom for the Raptors had earned him recognition from the Basketball Memorial Hall of Fame.
Not only did he receive a custom ring from the Hall of Fame but to mark his induction and honour him, several key aspects associated with his presence at the arena such as his turban, the superfan jersey and his seat were all displayed.
I made a promise as a kid to my mom i would never remove my turban. Today it is in the Hall of Fame. Embrace what makes you different. It is your superpower. This is the crown I wear each day. Thank you mom. pic.twitter.com/s6cCjxbdhR
— Nav Bhatia Superfan (@superfan_nav) May 19, 2021
His loyalty and passion for the franchise earned him the tag of 'Superfan'. It saw him not only receive the honour of being the grand marshall at the team's championship parade in Toronto while also a championship ring after the franchise's NBA title in 2019.
