'Very special day': Kawhi Leonard receives warm welcome during Raptors' re-debut in pre-season
Kawhi Leonard made his return to the Toronto Raptors in a pre-season game against the New York Knicks, scoring 21 points. The trade follows a period of league investigation into salary cap circumvention involving the Clippers.
Why it matters
Covers a significant roster move in professional basketball and the associated regulatory implications for the NBA.
Leonard drew the loudest cheers of the night — especially when he scored each of his game-high 21 points — in his re-debut for the Raptors as Toronto rolled past the New York Knicks 148-98 on Tuesday. It was the two-time NBA Finals MVP's first game for the Raptors since he was traded back to Toronto by the Los Angeles Clippers this past summer.
"We came in to look focused on defence, and that was my intentions," said Leonard, who also had five rebounds in 17 minutes of play. "I wanted to just get out, get after it, and get tired. I still want to get in better shape. It was fun to play.
"The guys have been great … everybody else has just been helping me out and just trying to make the transition so easy."
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