Raptors Nightly
The Six Report · Morning

Depth Carries Raptors Past Knicks' Reserves, Opener Waits

A 50-point win leaves Rajakovic one game from settling his bench before Toronto opens at home on Oct. 21.

Kawhi Leonard21 pts on 6-12 FG (4-8 3PT), 5 reb, 2 stl in 17 minutes
By the Raptors Nightly Desk · Wednesday, October 14

Toronto's reserves overwhelmed a Knicks lineup missing Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby, all held out to rest, building a 45-point lead in a 148-98 preseason win Tuesday. Kawhi Leonard needed only 17 minutes for 21 points, sitting out the second half entirely, while Collin Murray-Boyles added 19 points on 7-for-7 shooting off the bench.

Kawhi Leonard of the Raptors
Kawhi Leonard. Photo: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mhecaela J. Watts, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Bench Carries The Night

Murray-Boyles went 7 for 7 from the floor for 19 points and nine rebounds, and Ja'Kobe Walter added 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including four 3-pointers, off the bench. Toronto's reserves scored 59 points to the starters' 71, nearly matching the group that opened the game, in a rout that was decided by midway through the second quarter.

Short Turnaround Ahead

Toronto gets two days before returning to New York on Oct. 15, while the Knicks play their second game in as many nights. A preseason finale at Detroit follows on Oct. 16, the last tune-up before the Raptors open the regular season at home against the Bulls on Oct. 21.

Rotation Still Taking Shape

Jackson-Davis, Walter, Tyreke Key and Murray-Boyles all logged real minutes against New York, and Rajakovic has one preseason game left to settle who holds the backup rotation once games count. Chucky Hepburn, cleared Wednesday after a hamstring issue, adds one more name to that competition.

When do the Raptors play the Knicks again?

Toronto travels to New York on Oct. 15, two days after the 148-98 preseason win, with the Knicks playing their second game in as many nights.

When does the Raptors' regular season start?

Toronto opens the regular season at home against the Bulls on Oct. 21, after one more preseason game at Detroit on Oct. 16.

By the Raptors Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.

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