The Toronto Raptors dropped a narrow 122-120 preseason decision to the New York Knicks on October 15, 2026. Kawhi Leonard made his long-awaited debut for the Raptors in the contest, which served as a final tune-up before the regular season.
The final score was tight, but the Raptors had dominated the Knicks just two days earlier. On October 13, Toronto secured a commanding 148-98 preseason victory over New York at Scotiabank Arena. Coach Mike Brown opted to rest his starters for the second game of a back-to-back, giving extended minutes to bench players. Leonard's first action in a Raptors uniform since his blockbuster offseason trade was the main storyline. Photographs from the October 13 game showed Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett attacking the rim, while Kyle Anderson battled for rebounds.
New York entered the game on a three-game preseason skid. Their last regular season meeting with Toronto was a different story. The Knicks won that April 10 matchup 112-95, extending a regular season win streak over the Raptors to 13 games. Jalen Brunson scored 29 points in that win. For Toronto, Scottie Barnes and the since-traded Brandon Ingram each had 15 points.
Leonard's debut, even in a preseason loss, is a major moment. The Raptors acquired him in a massive September trade that sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and multiple first-round picks to the LA Clippers. He then signed a two-year, $115 million extension. Health is always the question with Leonard, but when available he represents a clear offensive upgrade. His presence is meant to raise a unit that ranked in the middle of the NBA last season.
Toronto is building on a 46-36 campaign that earned them the fifth seed in the East. Head coach Darko Rajakovic's team was a top-five defense. The front office also added veteran forward Kyle Anderson on a minimum deal and extended guard Jamal Shead. Key players like Barnes, Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley remain central to the program. Jakob Poeltl continues to anchor the paint.
The preseason schedule concludes quickly. Toronto's next and final exhibition is an away game against the Detroit Pistons on October 16. After that, the focus shifts entirely to the regular season opener.
Evaluating the rotation and building chemistry will be the final tasks. The Raptors' preseason results have been a mixed bag. They beat the LA Clippers 114-106 on October 10 but lost to the Miami Heat 105-129 on October 3. Integrating a star of Leonard's caliber takes time. These games are about process, not outcomes. The real tests begin soon, and the Raptors hope their revamped roster is ready.
