Kawhi Leonard expected to play as Raptors host Knicks, coach Darko Rajaković says

Toronto Raptors coach Darko Rajaković said Kawhi Leonard will be available for the Raptors’ next game against the New York Knicks, setting up a highly anticipated preseason appearance at Scotiabank Arena. Leonard, a forward known for his scoring and two-way impact, is expected to take the court for what Rajaković described as his first on-court showing with Toronto in the current stretch.

The Raptors enter the matchup with momentum built from early preseason work. According to Yahoo Sports, Toronto has split the outcomes of its first two preseason games, a sign that the group is still finding rhythm while testing combinations and playing styles against different looks.

For the Raptors, the timing matters. Opening a preseason matchup with the Knicks can serve as a sharper measuring stick than games against unfamiliar opponents, especially within the Atlantic Division. The teams’ preseason contests often preview matchup concerns that can reappear during the regular season, where style, pace, and defensive assignments become more consistent.

Rajaković’s comments also frame Leonard’s availability as more than a headline. A player returning to on-court action changes how opposing defenses set up, because his reputation forces teams to account for shot creation, spacing, and pressure at pivotal moments. Even in preseason games where minutes and roles can be managed, the presence of a star typically tightens a defense’s decision-making.

Leonard’s appearance is also a referendum on how Toronto plans to use him as the preseason progresses. Coaches generally balance getting players live repetitions with keeping long-term health in mind, and Rajaković’s indication that Leonard is set to play points to a planned workload rather than a late-season surprise.

For New York, the challenge is straightforward. Facing a familiar caliber forward changes how a defense organizes help coverage and perimeter contests, particularly in the early portions of preseason where teams are still building chemistry. Knicks defenders will have to respect Leonard’s ability to score and to draw attention, even if the game is still part of the evaluation period for both rosters.

What to watch next is how quickly Leonard looks integrated into Toronto’s offensive structure and defensive rotations once the game starts. If the Raptors can run their early preseason sets with coherent spacing and crisp execution, it will report that their adjustments are working. If not, the Knicks matchup will still provide a useful baseline for how Toronto’s schemes perform against a division opponent.