Kawhi Leonard made his much-anticipated return to the Toronto Raptors in a pre-season game against the New York Knicks on Tuesday. This marked his first appearance since the Raptors re-signed him in September and his first game back since leading the franchise to their maiden NBA Championship by securing the Larry O'Brien trophy in 2019.
In a showcase of his skills and productivity, Leonard quickly impressed the fans at Scotiabank Arena. He delivered a remarkable performance by scoring 21 points, pulling down five rebounds, and registering two steals in just under 17 minutes of play during the first half of the game. His impact was palpable, as indicated by his plus-28 rating when on the court.
Despite his impressive showing, Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic confirmed that Leonard would be on a minutes restriction as he continues to improve his conditioning. Consequently, Ja’Kobe Walter took Leonard's place in the lineup for the second half, as the Raptors had already established a commanding 39-point lead at the break.
This reunion is significant for both Leonard and the Raptors. Leonard, a two-time NBA Finals MVP and seven-time All-Star, returned to Toronto following a substantial trade deal that saw Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and multiple first-round draft picks sent to the Los Angeles Clippers. This trade has marked an unprecedented reunion after Leonard’s departure from the Raptors in 2019, shortly after he helped the organization claim their historic championship, when he signed with his hometown team, the Clippers.
Seven years after leaving Toronto, Leonard has come back, and Raptors fans are hopeful that this is a harbinger of greater achievements for the team. In the previous season, Leonard earned a spot on the All-NBA Second Team, averaging an impressive 27.9 points per game while finishing seventh in MVP voting, highlighting his elite performance level.
The Raptors will look to see more of Leonard during the pre-season, with two additional games lined up against the Knicks on Thursday and the Detroit Pistons on Friday. As anticipation builds, fans are keen to witness how the Raptors will integrate Leonard into their plans as they prepare for the regular season.
The Raptors are slated to kick off their regular-season campaign against the Chicago Bulls at home on October 21. The excitement surrounding Leonard's return adds an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming season, setting the stage for what could be a thrilling journey for the team and its loyal supporters.
