The Toronto Raptors suffered a 117-94 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves in their season opener without Kawhi Leonard, sparking concerns about the team's future. While Scottie Barnes went 0‑12, RJ Barrett showed his worth with 20 points and three steals, and bench player Ja’Kobe Walter dropped 22 points on 62.5% shooting from three. The article argues that Barrett could become the long‑term second‑option offense, but warns that Jakob Poeltl’s continued lack of production—zero points and no double‑digit rebounds over three games—remains a major issue, especially with his contract extension looming.
Scottie Barnes didn't make a shot and looked disinterested defensively in the Raptors' first game without Kawhi Leonard. How concerned should we be?
The Raptors fall 117‑94 to the Timberwolves on Oct. 26, 2026, as RJ Barrett’s 20‑point effort proves to be the lone bright spot. Barrett’s aggressive drives and a slick layup over Rudy Gobert highlight his offensive value, while Scottie Barnes goes cold, finishing 0‑12 and drawing heavy criticism. Immanuel Quickley adds 19 points, but the team struggles with rebounding—Jakob Poeltl grabs just one board—and defensive lapses. Rookie Ja’Kobe Walter shines with 22 points and solid defense, stepping up after Kawhi Leonard’s injury. The loss underscores Toronto’s offensive woes and raises questions about Barnes’s role and the front‑court’s effectiveness.
The Toronto Raptors’ 118‑109 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 26, 2026 highlights deep offensive woes and raises doubts about Scottie Barnes’ role. Minnesota shot efficiently, going 5‑6 and 8‑12 from three, while Toronto struggled to generate offense, committing multiple turnovers and missing the rim entirely—including Barnes, who finished with zero points. Despite a resilient first half that saw RJ Barrett and Collin Murray‑Boyles spark a brief comeback, the lack of pull‑up shooting and playmaking left the Raptors floundering, especially without Kawhi Leonard. The defeat underscores an urgent need to redefine Barnes’ fit and address the team’s 3‑point and transition deficiencies.
Kawhi Leonard sits out Sunday with left‑knee swelling after posting 16 points and nine rebounds in a win over Washington and 23 points in the season opener. Ja’Kobe Walter is projected to start for the Raptors against Minnesota, averaging 8.5 points in 23.5 minutes. In the Atlantic Division, Sixers forward VJ Edgecombe misses the game vs. Detroit due to an abdominal contusion, while the Knicks add 25‑year‑old guard Dalton Knecht on a two‑way contract, likely to start in the G League. Meanwhile, the Nets, 0‑2, saw promising chemistry from rookie duo Egor Demin and Mikel Brown Jr., who combined for three threes in 47 seconds, sparking optimism from coach Jordi Fernandez.
Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković praised the dynamic guard duo of Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball before Toronto's season‑opening matchup at Minnesota. He highlighted their 93 points and 18 threes in two games, calling them “the beauty of the NBA,” while noting the supporting talent around them. Both teams sit 2‑0, with the Timberwolves hosting their home opener at Target Center. Toronto will be without recent acquisition Kawhi Leonard, sidelined with knee swelling.
Kawhi Leonard misses his first game back with the Toronto Raptors due to knee swelling, sidelining him for the crucial Sunday showdown against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Ja’Kobe Walter steps into the starting lineup as the two undefeated teams face off, providing an early test of the Raptors’ depth without Leonard. The article notes Leonard’s recent 27‑minute, 112‑102 win over the Wizards and his historic 60‑game 2019 season, while previewing upcoming back‑to‑back games against the Lakers and Clippers.
The Toronto Raptors sit 2‑0 to start the season but will be without Kawhi Leonard for their upcoming clash with unbeaten Minnesota. NBA insider Marc Stein reports Leonard is out with left‑knee swelling, adding to a history of knee issues that have limited his playing time. Leonard, who has struggled offensively in the first two games, said fans must be patient as medical staff manage his minutes. Despite the loss, the Raptors rely on a balanced roster to stay competitive against the Timberwolves. The situation raises questions about Leonard’s short‑term availability and long‑term health management.
Toronto Raptors star forward Kawhi Leonard downplayed any concerns about when he will be able to ramp up to full game shape, and now he's shutting things down completely.
The Toronto Raptors head to Minneapolis on Sunday, Oct. 25, for a 7:00 PM ET showdown against the Minnesota Timberwolves on NBA TV, with a free‑trial stream available on Fubo. Both teams enter the game 2‑0, the Raptors riding a 135‑92 win over Chicago and a 112‑102 road victory over Washington, led by Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley, while the Timberwolves posted dominant road wins over Miami and Orlando, averaging 123 points behind LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert. The win‑or‑lose battle could set the tone for two early playoff contenders.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla deflects media focus on the Tatum‑Brown saga, emphasizing Jayson Tatum’s role while respecting former teammate Jaylen Brown’s contributions. Meanwhile, Sixers center Joel Embiid misses Sunday’s game against Detroit due to plantar fasciitis after a triple‑double win over Milwaukee, and RJ Barrett remains a key piece for the Raptors despite trade speculation. The Nets slide to 0‑2 after a loss to Cleveland, but rookie Egor Demin sparks hope with a 22‑point fourth‑quarter surge alongside Mikel Brown Jr., who is on a minutes restriction after an ankle injury.
Toronto has opened the year with its trademark defense and energy, but better three-point shooting could make them an even tougher threat in the East.
Raptors Republic’s new “Raptors Stock Talk” rates the team after its first two games. The author is buying the Raptors’ defence, which now boasts the league’s best rating (88.6), 30 forced turnovers and 57 transition points. Kawhi Leonard leads with seven steals, and Collin Murray‑Boyles shines as a versatile defender. The three‑point shooting is a sell, stuck at 26.2% (28th in the NBA) with only 17 threes made, echoing last season’s woes. Leonard’s offense is a hold – he’s shooting 32.4% overall and 28.6% from deep, but his defensive impact and adjusting rhythm suggest his scoring will improve.
The piece revisits Toronto Raptors swing‑man Terrence Ross, a forgotten yet pivotal figure between the Vince Carter era and the 2019 championship. Ross spent 11 seasons primarily with Toronto, playing over 70 games each year, tying Carter’s 51‑point single‑game record and winning the 2013 NBA Slam Dunk Contest—the first Raptor victory since Carter in 2000. His trade to Orlando for Serge Ibaka in 2016‑17 helped reshape the Raptors’ frontcourt, setting the stage for future success. Ross later faced Toronto in the 2019 playoffs, ranking second on the Magic in points and steals as they fell in five games. The article argues his contributions deserve lasting recognition.
The Timberwolves have not lost their home opener at the Target Center since 2015.
The Toronto Raptors, boasting a 97‑point defensive average and two double‑digit wins, travel to face a revamped Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 25, 2026. Minnesota’s roster shake‑up adds LaMelo Ball, who brings elite playmaking, and Jonathan Kuminga at power forward, complementing Anthony Edwards. While the Wolves' offense exploded for 131 points in their season‑opener, depth concerns linger beyond Ayo Dosunmu and Terrence Shannon Jr. Key matchups include Rudy Gobert’s interior presence against the Raptors’ small‑ball scheme and the Raptors’ ability to exploit Ball and Kuminga’s defensive inexperience. The game serves as a crucial early‑season test for both teams after major offseason moves.
Two undefeated teams going at it.
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During the Raptors’ 112-102 win over Washington on Oct. 23, a fan jabbed Kawhi Leonard about a disputed tree‑planting endorsement with the bankrupt firm Aspiration. Leonard’s brief reply, “Always,” sparked talk of the Clippers salary‑cap scandal that led to a $30 million fine, loss of five future first‑round picks, and a $700,000 fine for Leonard. After averaging a career‑best 27.9 points in his final Clippers season, Leonard returned to Toronto in a blockbuster trade and signed a two‑year, $115 million extension. He contributed 16 points and nine rebounds in the win, signaling a fresh start.
The Chicago Bulls are counting on Caleb Wilson to lead them in a new direction. After two games, the high-profile rookie from North Carolina has experienced the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. The Bulls suffered a 43-point loss to the Toronto Raptors in their season opener on Wednesday. Then, the Bulls fought […]
The post Bulls executive praises Caleb Wilson ‘genuine’ desire to grow after strong NBA debut appeared first on ClutchPoints .
The Toronto Raptors (2-0, Atlantic leaders) face the Minnesota Timberwolves (2-0, Northwest leaders) Sunday at the Target Center. Both clubs swing from blowout wins—Raptors defeated the Bulls 135-92 and Wizards 112-102, while the Timberwolves routed the Heat 131-106 and Magic 115-93. Scottie Barnes (25.5 ppg, 10 rpg) and Immanuel Quickley (6.5 apg) anchor Toronto, though center Nate Bittle is out with a foot fracture. Minnesota relies on Anthony Edwards' 30.0 ppg and Ayo Dosunmu's 6.5 assists, with Gobert anchoring the glass (12 rpg). The key battle pits Minnesota’s 40.2% three‑point shooting against Toronto’s aggressive perimeter defense (13.5 steals per game). A win would give the victor a perfect 3‑0 start and sole division lead.
The Minnesota Timberwolves (2-0) open the season at home against fellow 2‑0 Toronto Raptors on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 6 PM CT. Both teams are averaging over 120 points while holding opponents under 100, but the Wolves have beaten stronger Eastern rivals (Heat, Magic) compared to the Raptors' wins over rebuilding squads. Key matchups include Kawhi Leonard, back with Toronto, versus the Wolves' defense anchored by Rudy Gobert, and the guard battle between LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards against Toronto’s Scottie Barnes. Expect the Raptors to rely on mid‑range and paint scoring, while Minnesota aims to exploit its pick‑and‑roll and rebounding. Bench energy will be pivotal, with Ayo Dosunmu leading Minnesota’s reserves against Toronto’s depth.
Collin Murray-Boyles is off to a strong start for the Raptors. Can start lead to a breakout season?
Samson Folk talks about the Toronto Raptors.
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It was very important that the Raptors found a way to win despite inefficient shooting.
The Raptors limited Anthony Davis in a way they hadn’t been able to for quite some time.