It took less than 17 minutes for the crowd at Scotiabank Arena to remember what a healthy Kawhi Leonard can do. Having returned to Toronto for the first time since his 2019 title run, he led the Raptors to a 148-98 preseason demolition of the Knicks on Tuesday.
Leonard scored 21 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including 4 of 8 from three, and added five rebounds and two steals. He sat out the second half with the game long settled, but his first-half display set the tone for the night.
Kawhi Leonard sets the tone in Toronto
The Raptors landed the first punch, leading 42-22 after one quarter and 86-47 at halftime. Toronto shot 57% from the field, and the offence never let up.
Scottie Barnes added 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting. Collin Murray-Boyles was perfect off the bench, hitting all seven of his shots for 19 points and nine rebounds.
The moment carried extra weight because of how Leonard got here. He arrived from the Clippers after the league finished its salary-cap investigation, which cost Los Angeles heavily in penalties. Coach Darko Rajakovic called the night a special occasion for both player and team.
A shorthanded Knicks side struggles
New York had little answer. Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart all missed the game. James Wiseman led the visitors with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
The Knicks also struggled badly from deep, and the loss dropped them to 0-4 in the preseason.
This was a preseason game, so the scoreboard matters less than the signs of life. Leonard looked sharp, efficient and comfortable, which is exactly what Toronto wanted to see before the real games begin.
The Raptors and Knicks meet again on Thursday at Madison Square Garden in the last tune-up of the preseason. The question now is how many minutes Leonard plays on the road, and how quickly he can build on this fast start.
