Kawhi Leonard scores 21 in first half of Raptors return as Toronto rout Knicks
The 2019 Finals MVP made his long-awaited second debut for Toronto in a 148-98 pre-season win, after a summer trade from the Clippers that was delayed by an NBA salary-cap investigation.
Kawhi Leonard marked his return to the Toronto Raptors with 21 points in 17 minutes on Tuesday night, leading a 148-98 pre-season rout of the New York Knicks at Scotiabank Arena.
Leonard, who led Toronto to the 2019 NBA championship before leaving for the Los Angeles Clippers, played only the first half. He made six of his 12 shots, including four of eight from three-point range, and added five rebounds.
A comfortable night for Toronto
Leonard opened his account at the free-throw line before hitting a contested three-pointer for his first field goal back in a Raptors shirt. Toronto had five players in double figures and shot 57 per cent from the field. Scottie Barnes added 19 points, six rebounds and four assists, and RJ Barrett scored 17. James Wiseman led the Knicks with 18.
Leonard had sat out Toronto's first two exhibition games, and TSN reported that this was the first time the Raptors had all of their starters available in pre-season. Asked about his role, Leonard told reporters he was "just here to fit in". Head coach Darko Rajakovic had described it before tip-off as a very special day for the forward.
The win took the Raptors to 2-1 in pre-season, while the Knicks fell to 0-4.
Background: the trade and the investigation
The Clippers agreed to trade Leonard back to Toronto during the summer, but the deal was put on hold while the NBA investigated whether the Clippers and Leonard had circumvented the salary cap through arrangements with third-party companies.
According to Yahoo Sports, the league's penalties included the loss of five first-round draft picks for the Clippers, a one-year suspension and a USD 30 million fine for owner Steve Ballmer, and a USD 700,000 fine for Leonard, who was not suspended. Once the findings were published, the trade was completed. TSN reported that Toronto sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, a 2027 pick swap and two second-round picks to Los Angeles. Yahoo Sports reported that Leonard has since signed a two-year, USD 115 million extension with the Raptors.
Analysis: pre-season results carry little weight, but the ease of Leonard's first outing will encourage a franchise that has paid a considerable price to bring him back.
What happens next
The Raptors visit the Knicks on Thursday 15 October and finish the pre-season in Detroit on Friday 16 October, both US dates. Their regular-season home opener is against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday 21 October, US time, which falls on Thursday 22 October in Singapore. The 2026-27 NBA regular season begins on Tuesday 20 October, US time.
Sources
TSN (Canadian Press), "Kawhi Leonard scores 21 points in re-debut as Raptors blast Knicks in pre-season game", 13 October 2026: https://www.tsn.ca/nba/article/leonard-to-re-debut-for-raptors-tonight-in-pre-season-game-vs-knicks/
Yahoo Sports, "Kawhi Leonard drops 21 points in opening half of Raptors preseason debut after Clippers trade, scandal", 13 October 2026: https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/kawhi-leonard-drops-21-points-in-opening-half-of-raptors-preseason-debut-after-clippers-trade-scandal-013454152.html
Olympics.com, NBA 2026/27 season guide (season start date of 20 October), October 2026: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/nba-2026-27-season-guide-start-date-watch