Kawhi Leonard Scores 21 in Raptors Preseason Return After Clippers Trade and Scandal
Kawhi Leonard Shines in Raptors Preseason Debut Amid Clippers Controversy
Kawhi Leonard made a strong impression in his first preseason game back with the Toronto Raptors, scoring 21 points in just the opening half. This came after his offseason trade from the Los Angeles Clippers was finalized following a league investigation into a salary cap scandal.
The Raptors secured a commanding 148-98 victory over the New York Knicks on Tuesday night, with Leonard hitting 4-of-8 three-pointers during his 17 minutes on the court.
Coach Sets Minutes Limit for Leonard
Before tip-off, head coach Darko Rajakovic mentioned Leonard would have restricted minutes. “It’s very special that this is happening at home, not on the road, playing in front of our fans in Toronto,” Rajakovic said, according to CBC. “A very special day for him and for us. We’re excited to get him on the floor.”
Leonard opened his scoring with two free throws early in the first quarter, then nailed a contested three-pointer shortly after, marking his first field goal since rejoining the Raptors. The crowd at Scotiabank Arena responded enthusiastically.
He did not return for the second half, but the Raptors still dominated, winning by 50 points. Leonard finished as the game’s top scorer, while five other Raptors reached double digits, and the team shot 57% overall.
Back to Where It All Began
Leonard originally starred for Toronto in the 2018-19 season, leading the franchise to its first NBA championship and earning Finals MVP honors. He signed with the Clippers the following year and remained there until this summer.
During the past year, Leonard was tied to a major salary cap circumvention scandal involving the Clippers. The NBA found that Leonard and the Clippers worked with third-party companies to bypass the salary cap rules. As punishment, the Clippers lost five first-round draft picks, owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for one year and fined $30 million, and Leonard himself was fined $700,000.
The trade sending Leonard back to Toronto had been delayed pending the investigation’s outcome. Once the NBA announced its findings, the deal was completed. Leonard avoided suspension, reportedly because there wasn’t enough evidence to justify it, allowing him to start the 2026-27 season without restrictions. He also recently signed a two-year, $115 million extension with the Raptors.
Though it was only a preseason matchup, Leonard’s performance suggests he’s eager to return to basketball in the city where he achieved so much success.
