Toronto Raptors News and Rumors Page 6 - NBA

Will Kawhi Leonard Play in Raptors Preseason? Coach Rajakovic Gives Update Kawhi Leonard was acquired in a trade by the Toronto Raptors from the Los Angeles Clippers this offseason.

OCTOBER 5 • SI.COM

Here's How Every Rookie Performed in 2026 NBA Preseason Opener The Miami Heat defeated the Toronto Raptors in the NBA's 2026 preseason opener on Oct. 3.

OCTOBER 4 • SI.COM

Raptors Getting the Full Kawhi Leonard Experience As He's Ruled Out for Clippers Game Clippers fans have to wait a little longer to face Kawhi Leonard.

OCTOBER 4 • SI.COM

Jamal Shead - Dishes out eight assists in preseason opener Shead finished Saturday's 129-105 preseason loss to the Heat with three points (1-7 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight assists, five rebounds, two steals and one block in 28 minutes.

Impact Shead struggled mightily with efficiency in Toronto's preseason opener, though he chipped in across the stat sheet. The 24-year-old point guard led all players in assists while tying for second on the Raptors in rebounds. Shead signed a three-year extension with Toronto on Thursday and figures to continue operating as Immanuel Quickley's primary backup.

OCTOBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

The NBA's First Preseason Game Showed Off One Key Rule Change That Hopefully Won't Be Going Away The Heat-Raptors preseason game showed off a new point of emphasis from the refs that will hopefully stick this season.

OCTOBER 4 • SI.COM

Scottie Barnes - Logs three swipes in preseason loss Barnes recorded 11 points (5-11 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three steals, two rebounds and two assists across 12 minutes in Saturday's 129-105 preseason loss to the Heat.

Impact Barnes didn't see the floor in the second half but was productive in the first. The star forward was one of four Toronto players to score in double figures, and he finished second on the team in steals. The versatile 25-year-old is expected to handle a larger on-ball role in 2026-27 and is coming off another strong season in 2025-26, during which he averaged 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.4 steals in 33.5 minutes per game across 80 regular-season appearances.

OCTOBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Tyreke Key - Scores 15 points in preseason loss Key contributed 15 points (5-9 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and one rebound across 16 minutes in Saturday's 129-105 preseason loss to the Heat.

Impact The 27-year-old guard didn't play in the first half but turned in an efficient performance from beyond the arc in the second, tying RJ Barrett for the team lead in scoring in Toronto's preseason opener. Key is signed to an Exhibit 10 contract and will continue fighting for a spot on the Raptors' regular-season roster in the preseason.

OCTOBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Warriors legend Klay Thompson gets reason for hope after scoreless Heat debut Golden State Warriors legend Klay Thompson has made his anticipated debut for the Miami Heat, albeit in a preseason game against the Toronto...

OCTOBER 4 • BLUEMANHOOP.COM

Raptors preseason opens a crucial window for Ja'Kobe Walter to maximize With Kawhi Leonard out, Ja’Kobe Walter must use the preseason to strengthen his case for a bigger Raptors role — like a permanent spot among...

OCTOBER 4 • RAPTORSRAPTURE.COM

Kawhi Leonard Has Huge Impact On Scottie Barnes' Growth With Raptors The move to trade for Kawhi Leonard and immediately following up with a 2-year $115 million extension reads as a ‘win-now’ play.. At the age...

OCTOBER 4 • SI.COM

Raptors' talented young pillars could hold the key to exceeding lofty expectations For the Toronto Raptors to exceed their sky-high expectations, their young core will need to shine when Kawhi Leonard misses time.

OCTOBER 4 • RAPTORSRAPTURE.COM

RJ Barrett | Pre Season vs Miami Heat | October 03, 2026

OCTOBER 4 • YOUTUBE

Darko Rajakovic | Pre Season vs Miami Heat | October 03, 2026

OCTOBER 4 • YOUTUBE

Toronto Raptors Media Availability | Pre Season vs Miami Heat | October 03, 2026

OCTOBER 4 • YOUTUBE

Jakob Poeltl | Pre Season vs Miami Heat | October 03, 2026

OCTOBER 4 • YOUTUBE

Nate Bittle - Doesn't play Saturday Bittle (foot) did not play in Saturday's 129-105 preseason loss to the Heat.

Impact Bittle is dealing with a foot injury. He's been wearing a walking boot, so it's unknown if he will be cleared for action against the Clippers on Oct. 10.

OCTOBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Alijah Martin - Doesn't play in preseason opener Martin (knee) didn't play in Saturday's preseason game against the Heat.

Impact Martin missed the Raptors' Summer League finale on July 19, and he didn't play in the preseason opener either. However, even if he's cleared to play before the regular season starts, he shouldn't be a regular member of the rotation. Martin appeared in just 23 regular-season games in 2025-26, averaging just 6.3 minutes and 2.2 points per game.

OCTOBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Chucky Hepburn - Solid defensively Saturday Hepburn (knee) finished with 11 points (4-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-3 FT), five rebounds, two assists and three steals over 25 minutes in Saturday's 129-105 preseason loss to the Heat.

Impact Hepburn missed time during the 2026 Las Vegas Summer League due to a knee issue. However, he was back on the floor Saturday, tying Scottie Barnes in scoring. The 23-year-old went undrafted in 2025 but managed to sign a two-way contract with Toronto. He spent most of the 2025-26 campaign in the G League with Raptors 905, averaging 12.3 points, 1.9 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 2.3 steals across 29.2 minutes in 19 games. Hepburn may see most of his action in the G League once again in 2026-27, though his abilities on the defensive side of the ball could earn him a spot on the main roster at some point moving forward.

OCTOBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

HEAT at RAPTORS | NBA PRESEASON FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | October 3, 2026

OCTOBER 4 • YOUTUBE

RJ Barrett - Ties for game-high 15 points Saturday Barrett finished with 15 points (3-9 FG, 2-4 FT, 7-8 FT), three rebounds, one assist and one steal across 17 minutes in Saturday's 129-105 preseason loss to Miami.

Impact Barrett was efficient from deep Saturday, and he managed to tie Tyreke Key with a game-high in scoring. The 26-year-old averaged 19.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists over 30.3 minutes per contest during the 2025-26 campaign. However, he appeared in less than 58 regular-season games for the third consecutive year. Regardless of what the future holds for Barrett, he will need to remain healthy. His three-point shooting also needs work, especially since he shot a career-high 40.1 percent from downtown in 2020-21, his second season in the NBA.

OCTOBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Ja'Kobe Walter - Starting versus Miami Walter will start in Saturday's preseason game against the Heat, Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun reports.

Impact Walter will start in Toronto's first preseason game, though it's unknown how long he will be on the floor. The 22-year-old started in 19 regular-season games in 2025-26, averaging 9.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals over 25.7 minutes per contest.

OCTOBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Jamison Battle - Won't suit up Saturday Battle (back) has been ruled out for Saturday's preseason game against the Heat, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.

Impact Battle was held out of Thursday's scrimmage due to a lower-back injury, and he'll remain sidelined for Toronto's preseason opener. His next chance to play in the preseason will come next Saturday against the Clippers.

OCTOBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Trayce Jackson-Davis - Won't play in preseason opener Jackson-Davis won't play against the Heat in Saturday's preseason game due to undisclosed reasons, according to Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca.

Impact Jackson-Davis is one of several Toronto players who won't suit up for Saturday's preseason opener, along with several other names such as Allen Graves (groin), Kawhi Leonard (not injury related), Nate Bittle (foot) and others. Jackson-Davis' next chance to play will come against the Clippers on Saturday, Oct. 10.

OCTOBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Kyle Anderson - Ruled out Saturday Anderson (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's preseason game against the Heat, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.

Impact Anderson will miss the Raptors' preseason opener after sitting out Thursday's scrimmage with a right knee contusion. His next opportunity to suit up in the preseason will come next Saturday against the Clippers.

OCTOBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Allen Graves - Won't play Saturday Graves (groin) has been ruled out for Saturday's preseason game against the Heat, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.

Impact Graves didn't participate in Thursday's scrimmage due to a groin injury, and he'll also be held out of the team's preseason opener. His next chance to suit up will come in next Saturday's preseason game against the Clippers.

OCTOBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

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