Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard speaks at the Raptors media day in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jon Blacker
By The Canadian Press

Kawhi Leonard to re-debut for Raptors tonight in pre-season game vs. Knicks

Oct 13, 2026 | 2:23 PM

TORONTO — Kawhi Leonard is set to make his re-debut for the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.

Leonard was in the starting lineup as Toronto hosted the New York Knicks in a pre-season game. It’s the two-time NBA Finals MVP’s first game for the Raptors since he was traded by the Los Angeles Clippers back to Toronto this past off-season.

“His minutes are going to be limited, but it’s going to be super important to 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.”

Join Our Daily Email

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.

Police incident
Man in apparent drug-induced state crosses into the U.S. from Abbotsford, returns and gets combative
57m ago
Police investigation
Chilliwack RCMP seek tips, info on incident in which a man suffered injuries near a local park
3h ago
Claimant support session
Federal Indian Hospitals Settlement to hold claimant session in Chilliwack later this month
4h ago

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 but 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 No. 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.”

The defending NBA champion Knicks had lost all three of their pre-season games heading into Tuesday’s game at Scotiabank Arena. Toronto was 1-1, with three pre-season games left on the Raptors schedule including the game against New York.

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.

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

More Local News

Police incident
Man in apparent drug-induced state crosses into the U.S. from Abbotsford, returns and gets combative
57m ago
Police investigation
Chilliwack RCMP seek tips, info on incident in which a man suffered injuries near a local park
3h ago
Claimant support session
Federal Indian Hospitals Settlement to hold claimant session in Chilliwack later this month
4h ago
Housing targets
Mayor Popove over province's threat to control Chilliwack if housing goals weren't met: 'Like hell you will'
5h ago
Funding request
Restorative justice to resume immediately in Chilliwack, as former RCMP member touts value to police, Crown
6h ago