The NBA schedule makers have failed to give the Toronto Raptors' two games against the LA Clippers national television coverage, a decision criticized amid the ongoing Kawhi Leonard trade investigation. The Raptors enter this period with a recent form of 3 wins and 2 losses in their last five outings, including a 114-102 defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 3, 2026.
Why were the Raptors vs. Clippers games snubbed?
The Raptors play the Clippers twice this regular season, on November 2 at Intuit Dome and on January 1 at Scotiabank Arena. Neither matchup is scheduled for a national broadcast. The first meeting falls on a night where every NBA team is in action, but the only nationally televised game features Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Oklahoma City Thunder against Donovan Mitchell's Cleveland Cavaliers.
Even the second meeting on New Year's Day, one of six games scheduled, won't be on national TV. Part of that is due to college football's playoff dominating the holiday. But the league could have moved the game to another date to secure a larger audience. The NBA has flexibility to flex games into different time slots, but not to change the specific day of a game without advanced notice.
How does the Kawhi Leonard trade investigation impact this?
A potential trade sending Kawhi Leonard from the Clippers to the Raptors remains unconfirmed. The NBA is investigating the Clippers for alleged salary cap circumvention. This uncertainty directly hurt Toronto's chances for primetime slots. Networks picking games far in advance prefer stable storylines.
With Leonard as the focal point, this matchup could spark a rivalry for years. The league missed a chance to highlight one of its biggest stars in a compelling narrative. Jeremy Brener, who reported the story, noted the Raptors were one of the last ten teams standing in the previous playoffs. That playoff performance isn't reflected in their TV schedule.
What does this say about the Raptors' national profile?
Out of 30 NBA teams, 20 have more national TV games scheduled than the Toronto Raptors. This ranking suggests the league and its broadcast partners don't find the Raptors as intriguing as other franchises. The team's recent results, including that May 3rd loss to Cleveland, show they are competitive. You can track their progress and upcoming matchups on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page.
Their recent form sequence is LWLWW. The lack of national exposure could affect the team's visibility and fan engagement across the United States. It also represents a missed marketing opportunity for the NBA itself. A game with major trade implications and a superstar like Kawhi Leonard typically draws significant interest.
The first meeting at the new Intuit Dome in Inglewood now looks likely to proceed without the spotlight it arguably deserves. The investigation's prolonged timeline prevented the league from scheduling with certainty. So fans will need to seek out local broadcasts or league passes to watch these games unfold.
