The ramp-up to the regular season continues tonight when the World Champion Knicks travel to Scotiabank Arena to face the Raptors. Toronto has split its first two scrimmages, beating the Clippers and falling to Miami, while New York has dropped three straight.
Tonight’s tilt will be a showcase for the reserves, as coach Mike Brown intends to sit his starters. It’s the second night of a back-to-back. How will their bench hold up while, we’re told, Toronto will get its first play from Kawhi Leonard?
Methinks trouble be in the cards, prognostication fans.
The two teams last met on April 10 at MSG. The good guys won 112-95. Captain Jalen Brunson dropped 29, Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 and 10. Scottie Barnes and Brandon (no longer with the team) Ingram each posted 15 for Toronto. New York has beaten the Raptors 13 straight times in the regular season! (Probably a good thing that tonight won’t count.)
Last season was a positive step forward for the Toronto. Despite some poorly timed injuries, Darko Rajakovic’s club secured the fifth seed, finished 46-36, and were a top-five defense. Their offense was middle of the pack, a problem addressed with the offseason acquisition of Kawhi (celebrated pitchman) Leonard.
Kawhi was their big move this summer. The blockbuster return of Kawhi Leonard (finalized in mid-September after an NBA investigation delayed a deal originally made inn June) sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, second-rounders in 2030 and 2033, and a 2027 first-round swap to the Clippers. He then signed a two-year, $115 million extension. Beyond that, Toronto drafted forward Allen Graves 19th overall and guard Jaden Bradley 50th, added veteran forward Kyle Anderson on a one-year minimum, re-signed Alijah Martin, and extended guard Jamal Shead to a three-year, $24 million deal. They lost Sandro Mamukelashvili and Jonathan Mogbo in free agency.
OAKAAKUYOAKs RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley remain key players in their program, as does Scottie Barnes. A serviceable, but aging, Jakob Poeltl anchors the paint with solid rebounding and rim protection. Leonard, making his preseason debut, will be an upgrade from Ingram, provided he stays healthy.
We’re just as curious as you to see tonight’s starting lineup for New York. Last night, the club fell 122-104 to a Timberwolves team that was determined to pull on Superman’s cape under the bright lights of Broadway. Against the Raps, we should see extended time for Deuce McBride, Tyler Kolek, and Landry Shamet, and hopefully better play from Mohamed Diawara. As for the center battle, James Wiseman, Drew Eubanks, and Tony Bradley will have yet another opportunity to win over coach Brown.
Prediction? Probably a loss, hoss. Enjoy the bonus basketball.
Game Details
Who: New York Knicks (0-3) at Toronto Raptors (1-1)
Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Place: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
TV: MSG
Follow:@ptknicksblog andbsky
