Kawhi Leonard scores 21 in his first Raptors game back as Toronto routs the Knicks 148-98

Kawhi Leonard scored 21 points in under 17 minutes in his first game back with the Toronto Raptors and Toronto rolled past a New York Knicks squad missing its usual starters 148-98 on Tuesday night at Scotiabank Arena.

First look in a Raptors uniform since 2019

Leonard had not played for Toronto since he led the franchise to the 2019 NBA championship. He sat out the team's first two exhibition games while he ramped up after a trade from the LA Clippers that closed in September.

On Tuesday he played 16 minutes and 40 seconds. He went 6 of 12 from the field and 4 of 8 from three and added five rebounds and two steals. Scottie Barnes scored 19 points with six rebounds and four assists. Collin Murray-Boyles also scored 19 and RJ Barrett had 17.

Knicks rest the stars

New York sat Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and several other regulars on the second night of a back-to-back. James Wiseman led the visitors with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Toronto led 86-47 at halftime and never let the Knicks back into the game. The Raptors shot 57 percent from the field and 39 percent from three while New York managed just 40 percent overall and 17 percent from deep.

What is next

The teams meet again Thursday in New York. Toronto closes the preseason Friday against the Detroit Pistons. The regular season opens Oct. 21 against the Chicago Bulls.