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 allowed 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.
Because Leonard sat out Toronto’s first two exhibition games, Tuesday was the first time the Raptors fielded all of their starters this pre-season.
Scottie Barnes added 19 points, six rebounds and four assists for Toronto (2-1). RJ Barrett of Mississauga, Ont., had 17 points, four boards, and three assists. Leonard did not play in the second half and Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic benched the rest of his starters with over three minutes left to play in the third quarter.
“I’m just here to fit in,” said Leonard. “But fit out a little bit just by trying to you know play great basketball and just being aggressive.
“I just want to help others and then help my team and hopefully play a good game.”
James Wiseman had 18 points for the Knicks (0-4), who didn’t use any of their top players in the exhibition.
Rajakovic said beforehand that his hope was for Leonard to click with his new teammates.
“I tried to get those guys as much as possible on the court together, so that they could figure out the chemistry and spacing and that kind of stuff,” said Rajakovic post-game. “Obviously, just his first game.
“He was very excited coming into this game, and I thought he did great.”
Rajakovic also said pre-game that he wanted Leonard to “just have fun” in his first game back in Toronto.
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 had 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.
“(Rajakovic) always tells me just go play basketball,” said Leonard. “But I’m still learning play calls, schemes, and still trying to get in shape.
“I’ve got to just keep pushing through fatigue and just keep getting better.”
Toronto will visit New York on Thursday and then finish its exhibition schedule on Friday in Detroit against the Pistons. The Raptors’ home opener is on Oct. 21 when they face the Chicago Bulls.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 13, 2026.
John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press