1. Sports
2. Basketball
3. NBA
4. Toronto Raptors

Week ahead time for Raptors to get serious as season approaches

They need to get Kawhi Leonard and Allen Graves integrated, but the clock is ticking.

Published Oct 11, 2026  •  Last updated 19 hours ago  •  4 minute read

Ja'Kobe Walter #14 of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket during the preseason game between Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors at Rogers Arena on October 10, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Photo by Elizabeth Ruiz /Getty Images

See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

• Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
• Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
• Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
• Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
• Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

• Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
• Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
• Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
• Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
• Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

• Access articles from across Canada with one account.
• Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
• Enjoy additional articles per month.
• Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

• Access articles from across Canada with one account
• Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
• Enjoy additional articles per month
• Get email updates from your favourite authors

Two games into the NBA’s pre-season we’ve seen some solid flashes from the Toronto Raptors, even though Kawhi Leonard hasn’t yet been on the court with them. Centre Jakob Poeltl has looked better than at any point all last year, guards RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley have been scoring efficiently and youngsters Ja’Kobe Walter and Collin Murray-Boyles continue to improve.

They’ve won one game, Saturday’s night’s laugher at Vancouver against the Los Angeles Clippers, lost a rusty opener to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Miami Heat, but mostly seem to be easing their way into things.

That needs to start changing this week. We’d expect it will. Three games are on tap, Tuesday at home against New York, Thursday in a rematch in Manhattan and Friday in Detroit. There’s plenty of work for the Raptors to do before they get four days off and likely two practices in before the season opener at home against the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 21. Job 1 is integrating Leonard into live action. Until now he’s only participated in a handful of scrimmages with his new teammates and while he’s reportedly looked excellent, it will take some time for everyone to get used to each other on the court.

Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond.

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox.

We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again

Toronto also would love to get intriguing rookie Allen Graves into an exhibition or two (he was close to playing on Saturday) to see if he’s ready to contribute right away, or if some big minutes with Raptors 905 to start would be more helpful (a complication there is the 905 don’t play until Nov. 6).

The Raptors won’t get a chance to ease into the campaign. Chicago will probably be bad, but is young and extremely athletic. After that it will be a Washington team that mixes youth (including No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa and Canadians Kyshawn George and Will Riley) with former superstars Anthony Davis and Trae Young. Then a strong Minnesota team that’s added LaMelo Ball will be a test, followed by two straight against a solid Orlando squad, then a trip West to play the revamped Lakers, Clippers and mighty Nuggets. In fact, only three or four of  Toronto’s first 16 games will be against opponents expected to finish below .500.

Head coach Darko Rajakovic has a lot of options for his rotation. This week will help him get a better idea of the best formula to start the regular season.

1. 
   Raptors, minus Kawhi, pick up pre-season win over Clippers in Vancouver
2. 
   Toronto Raptors' franchise value soars in latest NBA valuation report
3. 
   Why are there no awkward reunions expected when Raptors play Clippers?

1. 
   Toronto & GTA
2. 
   Sports
3. 
   Toronto Maple Leafs
4. 
   Toronto & GTA
5. 
   Sunshine Girls