Toronto Raptors Bounce Back Against LA Clippers in Second Preseason Game

The Toronto Raptors captured a 114-106 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in their second preseason game of the year. Playing in front of a packed Vancouver crowd at Rogers Arena, the Raptors were able to regroup after a week off, looking much better offensively than in the 129-105 loss to the Miami Heat.

Shooting efficiency was a great struggle in the preseason opener, but not against LA. Toronto shot 51% from the field and 41% from three, while also outrebounding the Clippers by 16, including 10 more offensive rebounds. Most notably, RJ Barrett (20) and Immanuel Quickley (18) shot a combined 13-for-19 from the field and 8-for-11 from three. Barnes was again lackluster from the field (4-for-10), but made up for it by adding 10 rebounds and three assists.

Two of the bigger names in Toronto coming into the 2026-27 season are Ja’Kobe Walter and Collin Murray-Boyles. As seven-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard continues to ramp up, Walter has filled his spot in the starting lineup, but has underwhelmed thus far in the expanded role. Playing alongside several elite scorers as opposed to his usual benchmates, the former No. 19 pick in the 2024 NBA draft scored just three points on 1-for-4 shooting (all from three). 

Murray-Boyles stuffed the stat sheet in his 22 minutes off the bench, adding 13 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. If the Raptors want to compete for a championship this season, they’ll need Murray-Boyles to keep being an impactful, Swiss Army knife-type player and Walter to be much more assertive offensively when given the opportunities. 

Speaking of championships, Toronto’s likelihood of making a deep playoff run heavily depends on the health of two-time Finals MVP Leonard. Although he has sat out both preseason games so far, the team is being cautious about his return. After the two-time DPOY played very little basketball this summer due to the investigation and trade stalling, they want to be absolutely sure he is ready to go once he takes the floor. 

TSN Sports’ Raegan Subban gave a report on the superstar’s progress ahead of the exhibition.

“When it comes to Kawhi Leonard’s reconditioning, head coach Darko Rajakovic told me yesterday that he’s on the right track. He went through a whole practice with the team as he continues to ramp up in preparation for the season,” said Subban. “I caught up with Leonard earlier this week, and he said his focus right now is just getting better conditioned. He said, 'This game is fast-paced; you gotta be in the best condition to be able to sit in a stance on defense and carry the game for the entire game.’”

One player to keep an eye on moving forward is starting center Jakob Poeltl. While only recording nine points and four rebounds, he is showing glimpses of the aggression and physicality that earned him a three-year, $84.1 million extension that is set to begin in 2027-2028. With the All-Rookie selection, Murray-Boyles, chomping at the bit for more playing time, Poeltl needs to make his minutes extremely impactful, or else he could lose his starting spot quickly once the regular season begins.