Kawhi Leonard sidelined, Scottie Barnes goes M.I.A. as T-Wolves blow out Raptors

Star forward misses game with left knee swelling

Published Oct 25, 2026  •  Last updated 6 minutes ago  •  5 minute read

Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors forces a turnover against Jaden McDaniels of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter at the Target Center on October 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. Photo by David Berding /Getty Images

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Fingers are being crossed, perhaps even a few prayers are being said, but two games into his second go-round with the Raptors and Kawhi Leonard has already been forced to miss a game.

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His unavailability was announced before Sunday’s tipoff versus the host Minnesota Timberwolves as Leonard deals with left knee swelling. He’s expected to be re-evaluated on Monday in Toronto with an update expected on Tuesday.

It goes without saying the Raptors aren’t as imposing without Leonard in the lineup, but everyone knew, including the franchise itself, that Leonard wasn’t expected to play all 82 regular-season games.

For the record, he missed 22 games when Toronto first acquired Leonard for the 2018-19 season. He played all 24 post-season games that spring, capped off by Leonard earning NBA Finals MVP in leading Toronto to its title.

This season, fast starts have been the norm for the Raptors in beating the Bulls and Wizards, but the roles were reversed against the energetic and explosive T-Wolves, who are not by any means a Chicago or Washington.

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Five minutes into Sunday’s matchup and the Raptors were forced to call a timeout as the T-Wolves quickly established an up-tempo pace, which set the tone for what would be a 117-94 Toronto defeat as Minny remained unbeaten.

Shocking and completely inexplicable was Scottie Barnes’ brutal performance. Without Leonard, Barnes had to step up for the Raptors to even have a chance against an entertaining T-Wolves team that added LaMelo Ball in the off-season.

Instead, Barnes posted his worst game, perhaps in his entire hoops existence, after scoring 28 points on Friday night.

At least for one night, the Raptors were completely exposed without Leonard. More details on his knee will be made available in the coming days, but the Raptors need to adjust without him because he will miss games given his injury history.

Sunday night was a complete and utter letdown, Toronto’s first test against a legitimate team.

The player who failed the most was Barnes, who pitched a shutout in going 0-for-12 from field in 28 minutes, a scoreless outing that saw the face of the franchise register a minus-27 rating. Embarrassing best describes Barnes’ play as the Raptors dropped to 2-1.

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The following are three takeaways on a night when the Raptors reserves scored a combined 10 points in the game’s opening 24 minutes, a night first-year Raptors forward Kyle Anderson made his return to the Twin Cities and received a pre-game tribute, fans cheering the veteran when he entered the game with 1:21 left in the third quarter.

Terrence Shannon Jr. of the Minnesota Timberwolves draws a foul against Jamison Battle of the Toronto Raptors in the first quarter during the home opener at the Target Center on October 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (David Berding/Getty Images)

BARNES NEEDED TO CREATE

In acquiring Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers, one of the players jettisoned by the Raptors was Brandon Ingram.

Ingram took a lot of the offensive pressure off Barnes, especially in crunch time, allowing Barnes to play alongside a legitimate shot-maker and creator.

Without Leonard, the Raptors are woefully short on players capable of creating their own shot. It’s the main reason why the Raptors went with a smaller lineup with Collin Murray-Boyles at centre and Jamison Battle on the floor during stretches.

When defensive dynamo Rudy Gobert was on the bench, Barnes was able to attack the rim.

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Barnes missed all six of his shots from the field in the opening quarter as the Raptors trailed 32-21.

The T-Wolves scored the game’s first basket, the first time this season the Raptors had trailed.

Toronto started the night by having Barnes matched up against the electrifying Anthony Edwards, two nights after Barnes started the game guarding Anthony Davis, a 7-footer.

It didn’t matter whom Barnes was asked to defend because his presence on offence was required. He was nowhere to be found, which no one could have envisioned.

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CAN WALTER REPLACE LEONARD?

Not many sets are run for Ja’Kobe Walter and not many of his teammates can flat-out shoot the ball from distance and drain threes.

Defensively, Walter is no slouch, either.

With Leonard unavailable Sunday, Walter started after he filled in quite well last season, his second in the NBA, when asked to start.

Ideally, Walter is best served to come off the bench, which does get thinner when he’s not part of the second unit.

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When Leonard first played for the Raptors, the club went 17-5 in his absence. The 2018-19 edition, it must be pointed out, was much deeper and experienced, featuring size in the likes of Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol.

Walter’s evolution definitely helps, to some small degree, Leonard’s loss as the latest iteration of the Raptors continues.

With Minny on a run, it was Walter who helped silence the crowd when he used the dribble before getting his shot off from beyond the three-point arc.

In catch-and-shoot sequences, Walter’s form is reminiscent of Ray Allen’s stroke, but not as quick as the legendary three-point shooter.

Walter’s 22 points on 7-for-12 shooting led the Raptors.

Ja’kobe Walter of the Toronto Raptors draws a foul against Joan Beringer of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter. Walter, starting in place of Kawhi Leonard, led the Raptors with 22 points. (David Berding/Getty Images)

WILL RJ BARRETT RECEIVE HIS FLOWERS?

Most fans and observers recognize Barrett’s value and worth, but there remains a group of doubters.

He posted back-to-back 20-point games to open the season and with Leonard not available, Barrett played with an even more aggressive edge.

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When Barnes wasn’t on the floor, it was left for Barrett to resort to playing bully ball. Barrett, on one sequence, drove the lane and kicked it out to rookie Allen Graves, who buried his open look from the right pocket.

Without Leonard, the Raptors went with just about every possible five-man lineup on the floor, including a small-guard look featuring Jamal Shead and Alijah Martin.

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Up next

A few days off, at least in terms of facing an NBA opponent, await the Raptors, who will be home for a mini two-game set against the Orlando Magic beginning Wednesday; Friday’s tip is the first group-stage game for the Raptors in the NBA Cup; Magic star forward and former first overall pick Paolo Banchero is sidelined with a high-ankle sprain and is expected to miss at least a month, a cruel blow for the Magic.

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