Toronto Raptors Face Brutal Seven-Game Stretch with Kawhi Leonard Still Out

Just under three weeks into the 2026-27 NBA season, the Toronto Raptors already find themselves in a critical portion of the schedule. Starting the season 5-4, Toronto sits in a tie for fifth in the Eastern Conference. 

There are pros and cons to this near-.500 start to the year. Having played without seven-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard for the last seven games, there has been a lot to like regarding the Raptors’ offense. Scottie Barnes is rising to superstardom with his increased ability to score at will, along with different contributions from role players; this includes a 27-point performance from Alijah Martin off the bench in the last game against the Milwaukee Bucks. 

On the contrary, there has been little evidence to prove Toronto can compete with the league’s top teams. The Raptors had one of the worst records in the NBA last season when playing against the top-10 teams, and so far that has held true again this season. They have only played three top-tier teams in the first nine games, and they have all resulted in losses: 117-94 vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves, 131-125 vs. the Los Angeles Lakers, and 128-109 vs. the Denver Nuggets. 

The next seven games for Toronto could very well dictate how the rest of the season could play out. It begins with a home game against the Memphis Grizzlies, who started the season 6-0, but have lost three straight. They may not be considered a real threat in the Western Conference, but it’s tough to deny such an incredibly hot start. Moving forward, the Raptors face several of the biggest favorites to advance to the NBA Finals out of the East: the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks twice, Washington Wizards, and Detroit Pistons. 

If Leonard were healthy for this stretch, there would obviously be much less to worry about. He is officially back in Toronto as he continues to recover from swelling in his left knee, although he has yet to resume on-court activities. It is anticipated that he will play at some point throughout the next seven games, but simply put, the team’s focus needs to be on winning without him right now.

Likely the most essential detail of these next seven games will be how they perform in the fourth quarter. Last season, the Raptors ranked 27th in the NBA in fourth-quarter scoring (26.4) and 16th in fourth-quarter box plus/minus (-0.2). So far, Toronto ranks 1st in the league in both categories with 32.9 fourth-quarter points per game and 8.6 fourth-quarter box plus/minus. 

This has absolutely been a collective effort, as nine players average between 3-8 fourth-quarter points per game. While the role players will certainly play a part in winning games in the clutch, Barnes needs to continue to assert himself as a reliable scorer and shot-creator against the top defenses when it matters most. Leonard will make a substantial contribution in this area, but now is the perfect time for Barnes and RJ Barrett to show teams they can’t just double Leonard when he’s back on the floor. Otherwise, Toronto could drop tremendously in the Eastern Conference standings, and the last thing they need is to climb out of a hole after just one month of the regular season.