Kawhi Is Back in Toronto. The Knicks Lost by 50, But Hold Up.

The return was bigger than the score

Kawhi Leonard walking back onto Toronto's floor in a Raptors uniform is the real headline. The last time he wore those colors in an NBA game was the 2019 championship run. Seven years later, the crowd gave him a standing ovation. That's not something you can measure with a preseason box score. That city remembers exactly what he helped deliver.

And he looked sharp: 21 points, five rebounds, two steals and four made threes in just 17 minutes, according to the NBA's October 14 Starting 5 report. All 21 came before halftime. Scottie Barnes added 19 points and six rebounds. Toronto won 148–98. On paper, that is an absolute ass-whooping.

But look at who New York actually played

The Knicks were on the second night of a preseason back-to-back and rested their regular starters. Their opening five were Jose Alvarado, Miles McBride, Bruce Brown, Mohamed Diawara and James Wiseman. Toronto used its normal starting group. That difference matters. A 50-point win against another team's reserve unit isn't evidence that you're 50 points better when the games count.

New York trailed 85–47 at halftime. The Knicks' backups had already committed 12 turnovers in the first half while Toronto had only two, according to contemporary game coverage. James Wiseman finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds, but the Knicks couldn't consistently defend or make outside shots. That's useful information about depth and execution, not a playoff forecast.

What I'm actually watching

Here's where I'm at: I love the full-circle moment, and I understand why Toronto fans are excited. Kawhi's first run in Toronto ended with a ring. Getting him back is emotional and potentially meaningful on the court. But I'm not crowning a team off one preseason night. I want to know whether Kawhi can handle the schedule, how he fits with Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett, and what Toronto's rotation looks like against actual starting units.

If Leonard stays available and this roster gels, then we can have a serious conversation. Until then, enjoy the moment without pretending the Knicks sent their best five out there to get embarrassed.

Reporting: NBA Starting 5 (October 14, 2026), https://www.nba.com/news/starting-5-october-14-2026 ; New York Post (October 14, 2026), https://nypost.com/2026/10/13/sports/knicks-reserves-demolished-by-raptors-as-starters-dont-play/