Kawhi Leonard gets warm welcome in Raptors’ re-debut in 148-98 win over Knicks

TORONTO – Kawhi Leonard drew the loudest cheers of the night — especially when he scored each of his game-high 21 points — in his re-debut for the Toronto Raptors.

Leonard also had five rebounds in 17 minutes of play as Toronto played its full starting lineup for the first time this pre-season in a 148-98 win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday. 

It was the two-time NBA Finals MVP’s first game for the Raptors since he was traded back to Toronto by the Los Angeles Clippers this past summer.

Scottie Barnes added 19 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Raptors (2-1). RJ Barrett of Mississauga, Ont., had 17 points, four boards, and three assists, as Toronto benched all of its starters with over three minutes left to play in the third quarter.

Mohamed Diawara had 13 points apiece for the Knicks (0-4), who didn’t use any of their top players in the exhibition.

Toronto will visit New York on Thursday and then finish its exhibition schedule on Friday in Detroit against the Pistons.

Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic said before the game that his hope was for Leonard to build some chemistry with his new teammates on Tuesday.

“His minutes are going to be limited, but it’s going to be super important to get him there with our guys on the court, to get him integrated,” said Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic in a pre-game media availability. “It’s very special that it’s happening right here at home, not on some road game, but actually playing in front of our fans in Toronto. 

“I think it’s a very special day for him. Very special day for us. We’re super excited to get him on the floor and to play.”

Leonard had previously played for the Raptors in the 2018-19 season, leading them to their only NBA championship. He then signed a lucrative free-agent deal to join his hometown Clippers the following off-season.

L.A. traded him back to Toronto this past summer in a deal delayed by an NBA investigation into Leonard and the Clippers for salary cap circumvention. Although the team, its owner Steve Ballmer and several executives were severely punished by the league, Leonard only received a relatively small fine.

Once the punishments were doled out the trade was able to go through, sending Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, a 2027 pick swap and two second-round selections to Los Angeles. 

Leonard averaged 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals and 0.4 blocks over 65 regular-season games last season for the Clippers.

“Goal for him tonight is to go out there and have a lot of fun. That’s the number 1 thing,” said Rajakovic, noting that Leonard had been with L.A. for seven seasons. “I don’t expect that he’s going to pick up on terminology or all the stuff. 

“We’re teaching him a lot, showing a lot of film, going through a lot of drills and whatnot. Once the ball goes in the air, he just needs to play basketball.”

Leonard, who described himself as a “fun guy” when he first met with Toronto media back in 2018, clearly enjoyed himself against the Knicks’ depth players.

He was 6 for 12 on field-goal attempts, including 4 for 8 from three-point range. He has a plus-28 defensive rating in the game. Frequently injured over his career, Leonard only played in the first half as the Raptors easily built an 86-47 lead by intermission.

Toronto will host the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 21 in their home opener.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 13, 2026.