TORONTO, Canada, October 14, 2026: Kawhi Leonard needed less than 17 minutes to remind Toronto what it had been missing. Seven years after helping the Raptors win their first NBA championship, the two-time Finals MVP returned in a Toronto uniform, scored 21 points, and watched his new team crush the defending champion New York Knicks 148-98. Elsewhere, the Golden State Warriors erased a 20-point deficit against the Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City survived a remarkable overtime contest, Orlando overwhelmed Cleveland, and Portland continued an unbeaten preseason run.
Tuesday’s five NBA preseason games produced 1,118 combined points, one overtime finish, two comeback victories from deficits of at least 20 points, and several performances that could influence rotation decisions before the 2026-27 regular season begins on October 20.
Toronto delivered the night’s biggest winning margin, defeating New York by 50 points at Scotiabank Arena. But the score requires context. The Knicks, who won the 2026 NBA championship, rested their regular starters after playing Minnesota the previous night. Toronto, meanwhile, used its established core, including Leonard, Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and Jakob Poeltl.
The difference in personnel helps explain the extraordinary final score. It does not diminish Leonard’s encouraging return, but it prevents a preseason mismatch from being mistaken for a definitive verdict on the two teams’ championship prospects.
Story at a glance
NBA Preseason Results: All Five Games From October 13, 2026
The results followed a busy October 12 schedule that included Minnesota’s victory over New York and Atlanta’s narrow win against Oklahoma City. TSE covered those developments in its October 12 NBA preseason roundup.
Toronto Raptors 148, New York Knicks 98: Kawhi Leonard’s Return Becomes a 50-Point Celebration
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto: Kawhi Leonard walked back onto Toronto’s home court wearing a Raptors uniform for the first time since the franchise’s historic 2019 championship season. By halftime, the contest had effectively become a celebration.
Orlando Magic 132, Cleveland Cavaliers 116: Banchero and Wagner Expose Defensive Problems
Kia Center, Orlando: Orlando delivered the night’s second-highest team score, defeating Cleveland 132-116 in a game the Magic controlled from the opening quarter.
Oklahoma City Thunder 114, Indiana Pacers 112: A 20-Point Comeback Ends in Overtime
Paycom Center, Oklahoma City: Oklahoma City entered Tuesday’s game without a preseason victory and faced another difficult evening when Indiana opened a 20-point advantage.
Portland Trail Blazers 110, Sacramento Kings 98: Deni Avdija Leads Another Encouraging Win
Golden 1 Center, Sacramento: Portland extended its unbeaten preseason start to three games with a 110-98 victory over Sacramento.
In Las Vegas, Golden State turned a 63-50 halftime deficit into a 101-89 victory over the Lakers, restricting Los Angeles to 26 points throughout the second half. Oklahoma City recovered from an early 20-point deficit to defeat Indiana 114-112 in overtime, although a worrying late injury to rookie Otega Oweh overshadowed its first preseason win.
The Sports Encounter examines all five results, the leading individual performers, the decisive stretches of play, the coaching decisions behind the outcomes and the questions each team must answer before the regular season.
NBA Preseason Results: All Five Games From October 13, 2026
| Winning Team | Losing Team | Final Score | Leading Storyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Raptors | New York Knicks | 148-98 | Kawhi Leonard scores 21 in Toronto return |
| Orlando Magic | Cleveland Cavaliers | 132-116 | Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner dominate |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | Indiana Pacers | 114-112 (OT) | Thunder overcome 20-point deficit |
| Portland Trail Blazers | Sacramento Kings | 110-98 | Deni Avdija scores 26; Portland moves to 3-0 |
| Golden State Warriors | Los Angeles Lakers | 101-89 | Warriors erase 20-point deficit |
The results followed a busy October 12 schedule that included Minnesota’s victory over New York and Atlanta’s narrow win against Oklahoma City. TSE covered those developments in its October 12 NBA preseason roundup.
Tuesday’s games provided another opportunity to assess player fitness, experiment with rotations and identify prospects who may earn larger roles when regular-season competition begins.
They also demonstrated the limits of using preseason records as predictors. Teams are managing very different priorities, and the competition does not always feature comparable lineups or workloads.
Toronto Raptors 148, New York Knicks 98: Kawhi Leonard’s Return Becomes a 50-Point Celebration
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto: Kawhi Leonard walked back onto Toronto’s home court wearing a Raptors uniform for the first time since the franchise’s historic 2019 championship season. By halftime, the contest had effectively become a celebration.
Toronto led 42-22 after the opening quarter and extended the advantage to 86-47 at halftime. The Raptors never allowed the Knicks’ reserve-heavy lineup to establish any meaningful control.
Leonard finished with a team-high 21 points, five rebounds and two steals in 16 minutes and 40 seconds. He made six of his 12 field-goal attempts, including four of eight from three-point range, and committed no turnovers.
His return followed an offseason trade that brought him back to the franchise where he won his second NBA Finals MVP award. For Toronto supporters, the occasion carried obvious historical significance. The basketball implications were also encouraging.
Leonard demonstrated that he could still create scoring opportunities efficiently without monopolizing possessions or demanding a heavy minutes allocation.
Kawhi Leonard Scores 21 Points in Less Than 17 Minutes
Leonard’s production was particularly noteworthy because of the limited time he spent on the floor.
He scored 21 points in fewer than 17 minutes, combining perimeter shooting with efficient offensive movement.
His four successful three-pointers came on eight attempts, an encouraging indication that he remains willing to attack from beyond the arc.
Toronto did not need him to play heavy minutes. Its substantial advantage allowed the coaching staff to manage his participation and continue evaluating other players.
The most useful takeaway is therefore not the size of the victory. It is that Leonard appeared capable of contributing efficiently within a lineup containing several other established scorers and playmakers.
That is particularly important for a Raptors team attempting to combine experienced star power with the development of Scottie Barnes and its younger frontcourt players.
Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles Strengthen Toronto’s Supporting Case
Barnes added 19 points, six rebounds and four assists, shooting eight of ten from the field.
His ability to score efficiently while contributing across several statistical categories provided another encouraging sign.
Barnes remains important to Toronto’s defensive identity and transition offense. With Leonard commanding attention, he may have more opportunities to attack favorable matchups instead of carrying the entire burden of creating difficult shots.
Collin Murray-Boyles also scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds. He made all seven of his field-goal attempts, demonstrating productive finishing around the basket.
RJ Barrett contributed 17 points, while Immanuel Quickley finished with eight points and six assists.
The distribution illustrates Toronto’s potential to generate scoring from multiple positions. Whether that remains effective against an opponent using its normal starting lineup is a question for the regular season.
Why New York’s 50-Point Defeat Needs Context
New York entered the game on the second night of a preseason back-to-back.
Coach Mike Brown rested Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart, along with several established bench players.
The starting lineup instead featured Jose Alvarado, Miles McBride, Bruce Brown, Mohamed Diawara and James Wiseman.
Wiseman led the Knicks with 18 points and ten rebounds, making seven of eight field-goal attempts. Diawara scored 13, while Tyler Nickel contributed 11.
However, New York’s collective offense struggled to maintain possessions and generate efficient perimeter shooting. Toronto’s advantage grew quickly as the Knicks’ inexperienced combinations failed to contain penetration and recover consistently on defense.
The Knicks fell to 0-4 in preseason play.
That record is an uncomfortable backdrop for the defending champions, but it must not be equated with their regular-season capability.
New York’s established championship core was absent. The players who participated were effectively being asked to demonstrate whether they deserved larger responsibilities or roster positions.
The defeat revealed problems in the available depth combinations, particularly defensive communication, rebounding and shot creation. It did not establish that New York’s primary lineup has become a 50-point inferior team.
TSE previously assessed the wider championship market in its analysis of why the champion Knicks were not preseason title favorites.
What Toronto Must Prove Next
The Raptors’ immediate challenge is to translate Leonard’s encouraging individual performance into a sustainable team structure.
His scoring versatility can create better opportunities for Barnes, Barrett and Quickley, but the coaching staff must determine how possessions will be shared when opponents field their strongest defenders.
Leonard’s minutes management also remains relevant. A productive 17-minute appearance is encouraging; it does not establish what workload he can maintain throughout a full season.
Toronto and New York meet again at Madison Square Garden on October 15.
That rematch will offer another opportunity to evaluate progress, although lineup selections will again determine how much can reasonably be concluded from the result.
Orlando Magic 132, Cleveland Cavaliers 116: Banchero and Wagner Expose Defensive Problems
Kia Center, Orlando: Orlando delivered the night’s second-highest team score, defeating Cleveland 132-116 in a game the Magic controlled from the opening quarter.
The Magic scored 35 points in the first period, added 37 in the second and produced another 36 in the third.
After three quarters, Orlando had accumulated 108 points and held a 25-point advantage.
Cleveland outscored Orlando 33-24 in the fourth, but the late improvement only reduced the final margin.
Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 24 points and eight rebounds. Franz Wagner supplied 20 points and eight assists.
The two performances demonstrated the possibilities available to a team capable of attacking through different creators.
Paolo Banchero Dominates Cleveland’s Interior Defense
Banchero’s 24 points highlighted his ability to create scoring chances through strength, positioning and attacking favorable matchups.
He repeatedly challenged Cleveland inside, forcing the Cavaliers to make decisions about when to help, where to position defenders and how aggressively to contest drives.
That pressure can have consequences beyond one player’s points total.
When a defense commits additional attention to Banchero, other Orlando players gain opportunities to cut, move into open spaces and attack unsettled rotations.
The Magic’s high scoring output reflected the wider effectiveness of those actions.
Franz Wagner’s Eight Assists Reveal Orlando’s Offensive Possibilities
Wagner’s 20 points were valuable, but his eight assists provide a particularly useful indicator of his role.
Orlando does not have to depend on Banchero creating every advantage.
Wagner can initiate actions, move the ball across the floor and recognize when defenders have committed too aggressively toward the primary scorer.
Under head coach Sean Sweeney, that flexibility offers opportunities to construct a less predictable offense.
A team with multiple capable creators can make it more difficult for opposing defenses to load up against one player.
However, a successful preseason performance does not prove that Orlando has solved every offensive limitation. The more meaningful test will come against teams prepared to deny its preferred entry points.
Cleveland’s Defense Raises Questions Before the Regular Season
The Cavaliers fielded several important rotation players but struggled to contain Orlando’s offense.
Donovan Mitchell recorded 15 points and eight assists, while Evan Mobley contributed 14 points and five rebounds.
James Harden finished with 13 points, making three of his 12 field-goal attempts.
Harden’s role remains central to Cleveland’s ability to create organized offensive possessions, particularly when Mitchell faces aggressive defensive attention.
TSE has previously examined Cleveland’s investment in that partnership through its analysis of Harden’s contract and the Cavaliers’ championship window.
The more immediate problem against Orlando was defensive execution.
The Magic repeatedly found attacking lanes and opportunities created by Cleveland’s inability to contain penetration consistently.
That does not mean the Cavaliers lack defensive talent. Mobley remains an important interior presence, and the roster contains players capable of executing a more disciplined scheme.
Tuesday’s performance nevertheless exposed areas requiring improvement before the regular season.
Meleek Thomas Produces Cleveland’s Most Encouraging Individual Performance
Rookie Meleek Thomas provided a positive development for the Cavaliers.
He scored a team-high 16 points in less than 13 minutes, including 14 in the fourth quarter.
Thomas made six of nine field-goal attempts and two of three three-pointers.
His scoring burst came after Orlando had established a commanding lead, so it must be evaluated within that context.
Nevertheless, his ability to create and finish shots offers Cleveland an encouraging developmental option.
The coaching staff will want to determine whether he can maintain that efficiency against more competitive lineups and within a more demanding defensive assignment.
Oklahoma City Thunder 114, Indiana Pacers 112: A 20-Point Comeback Ends in Overtime
Paycom Center, Oklahoma City: Oklahoma City entered Tuesday’s game without a preseason victory and faced another difficult evening when Indiana opened a 20-point advantage.
Rather than allowing the contest to become a fourth consecutive defeat, the Thunder recovered, moved ahead in the third quarter and eventually secured a 114-112 overtime victory.
The result gave Oklahoma City its first preseason win in four games.
Indiana fell to 1-2.
The competitive finish provided valuable experience, although concern over an injury to rookie guard Otega Oweh took attention away from the victory.
Indiana Leads by 20 but Cannot Finish
The Pacers opened strongly, winning the first quarter 33-25.
They extended their advantage to 20 points during the second period, but Oklahoma City reduced the deficit before halftime.
Indiana led 61-59 at the break.
The Thunder then won the third quarter 26-23 to move ahead 85-84.
Neither team could separate decisively in the fourth quarter. Indiana scored 16 points and Oklahoma City managed 15, sending the game into overtime tied at 100.
The Thunder won the additional period 14-12.
The comeback demonstrates that Oklahoma City’s available players could adjust after a difficult opening stretch.
It also shows how quickly an early advantage can disappear when a team stops generating efficient possessions and struggles to protect the ball.
Tyrese Haliburton Scores 24 in the First Half
Tyrese Haliburton produced Indiana’s leading individual scoring performance, finishing with 24 points.
Those points came during the first half, when the Pacers established their early advantage.
His production demonstrated the offensive value of a guard capable of controlling tempo and punishing defensive weaknesses.
Indiana also received a double-double from Ivica Zubac, who recorded 13 points and 13 rebounds.
The Pacers had considerable success on the glass, finishing with 69 total rebounds compared with Oklahoma City’s 48.
That advantage makes the defeat more instructive. Indiana generated additional possession opportunities through rebounding but failed to translate them into a victory.
Jared McCain and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Provide the Scoring Foundation
Jared McCain led Oklahoma City with 20 points off the bench.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 15 points and six assists, while Jalen Williams contributed 16 points and four rebounds.
For the Thunder, the game offered an opportunity to evaluate combinations involving established players and newer rotation options.
McCain’s 20-point contribution is particularly relevant because it demonstrates an ability to create bench offense rather than relying exclusively on the team’s primary stars.
That capability can become important during a long regular season, when injuries and varying matchups require greater flexibility.
The Turnover Difference Explains Oklahoma City’s Comeback
Indiana finished with 27 turnovers, compared with 16 for Oklahoma City.
The 11-turnover difference helps explain how the Thunder won despite being heavily outrebounded.
The Pacers had more opportunities to extend possessions through offensive rebounds, but their turnovers repeatedly interrupted offensive sequences.
Oklahoma City also generated 14 steals.
Those extra defensive possessions helped compensate for Indiana’s advantage around the basket.
The broader lesson is that winning the rebounding contest does not guarantee control of a game if ball security repeatedly breaks down.
Indiana must improve its ability to preserve possessions under pressure.
Oklahoma City, meanwhile, can take encouragement from the defensive activity but still has questions to answer about rebounding.
Otega Oweh’s Injury Overshadows the Final Result
Oklahoma City rookie Otega Oweh suffered an apparent lower-leg injury during overtime.
He went to the floor without contact while attempting to move defensively, grabbed the back of his right ankle and required assistance leaving the court.
He did not return.
As of October 14, an official diagnosis had not been confirmed in the reporting reviewed for this article.
The mechanism of the injury has generated concern, but it would be inappropriate to assign a specific diagnosis or recovery period before the medical assessment is complete.
For Oklahoma City, monitoring Oweh’s condition is now more important than the narrow preseason victory.
The Thunder return to action against Houston on October 15 before opening the regular season against San Antonio on October 20.
Portland Trail Blazers 110, Sacramento Kings 98: Deni Avdija Leads Another Encouraging Win
Golden 1 Center, Sacramento: Portland extended its unbeaten preseason start to three games with a 110-98 victory over Sacramento.
The Trail Blazers established control early, winning the first quarter 33-22 and the second 33-17.
They led 66-39 at halftime and held a 93-66 advantage after three quarters.
Sacramento outscored Portland 32-17 in the fourth, but the late improvement did not threaten the result.
Deni Avdija led the winners with 26 points, nine rebounds and four assists, shooting nine of 13 from the field.
His efficient performance was one of the night’s strongest all-around individual efforts.
Deni Avdija Scores 26 Without Dominating Possession
Avdija needed only 13 field-goal attempts to score 26 points.
He also made all six of his free throws.
That efficiency is important within a roster containing several players who require touches and opportunities to create offense.
Portland’s challenge is not simply finding someone capable of scoring.
It is creating a rotation in which Damian Lillard, Ja Morant, Scoot Henderson and Avdija can contribute without making the offense predictable or depriving one another of effective possessions.
Avdija’s production suggested that he can remain influential without requiring every possession to begin with the ball in his hands.
Ja Morant and Damian Lillard Offer Portland Different Playmaking Options
Morant contributed 14 points and six assists off the bench.
He made four of six field-goal attempts and committed no turnovers.
Lillard also scored 14 points and contributed four assists.
The pairing gives Portland an intriguing range of options.
Morant’s ability to attack the paint can challenge defenders who struggle to contain explosive penetration.
Lillard provides perimeter shooting, experience and the ability to operate in structured half-court actions.
Using them effectively within the same roster requires clear decisions about spacing, defensive responsibilities and the distribution of minutes.
Scoot Henderson added nine points and four assists, giving the coaching staff another opportunity to assess his fit alongside the more experienced guards.
The talent is apparent. The question is how Portland can organize those skills into an efficient and defensively dependable rotation.
Portland Wins Despite Poor Three-Point Shooting
The Trail Blazers made only 11 of 44 three-point attempts, a 25 percent conversion rate.
That statistic provides a useful warning against overinterpreting the result.
Portland won comfortably without shooting particularly well from outside.
Its defense held Sacramento to 33.3 percent shooting from the field, while its own offense generated enough production through efficient interior scoring and free throws.
The victory demonstrates that Portland can win a game without relying on a hot perimeter shooting night.
It does not establish that its outside shooting is ready for regular-season competition.
That remains an area for coaching attention.
Sacramento’s Depleted Lineup Limits the Conclusions
Sacramento played without several important established players, including Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and Malik Monk.
Jonathan Mogbo led the Kings with 15 points and ten rebounds.
The Kings fell to 0-4 in preseason play.
That record reflects disappointing results, but the absences make it difficult to project the team’s eventual regular-season offensive performance from this particular matchup.
For Portland, the more useful question is whether the promising rotation combinations remain effective against full-strength competition.
There are also continuing health and availability questions elsewhere on the roster. TSE previously examined how Shaedon Sharpe’s injury could affect Portland’s 2026-27 plans.
Portland finishes its preseason against Golden State on October 16.
Golden State Warriors 101, Los Angeles Lakers 89: A 20-Point Comeback Exposes Two Very Different Problems
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas: For one half, the Lakers appeared capable of overpowering Golden State’s experimental lineup.
Austin Reaves repeatedly attacked the Warriors’ defense, Walker Kessler provided a physical presence around the basket, and Los Angeles built a 63-50 halftime lead.
The Lakers eventually led by as many as 20 points.
Then the game changed completely.
Golden State held Los Angeles to just 13 points in the third quarter and another 13 in the fourth, outscoring the Lakers 51-26 after halftime.
The Warriors won 101-89.
For coach Steve Kerr, the result provided evidence of improved defensive engagement from his available players. Yet the first-half problems showed that his team still has work to do adapting to a revised offensive structure.
Austin Reaves Scores 28 as the Lakers Build Their Lead
Reaves finished with 28 points, seven assists and four rebounds.
He scored 25 of those points during the first half, repeatedly exploiting Golden State’s difficulty containing attacks at the point of the ball.
Without Draymond Green available, the Warriors lacked some of the defensive coordination and communication normally provided by their veteran forward.
Reaves used that situation effectively.
He attacked defenders, found openings in the paint and created opportunities before Golden State could organize its help coverage.
His production was one of the strongest offensive performances of the five-game slate.
However, it could not prevent the Lakers from suffering a complete second-half reversal.
Walker Kessler Offers an Encouraging First Impression
Kessler also made a positive early contribution.
In his first Lakers preseason appearance, he collected 11 points and nine rebounds during the first half.
His size gave Los Angeles an interior option capable of finishing near the basket and contesting rebounds.
That profile may prove particularly useful when the Lakers face opponents who can challenge them physically.
However, his presence alone cannot solve the team’s wider offensive problems if turnovers prevent the Lakers from establishing sustained possessions.
Los Angeles also played without Luka Dončić, which limits conclusions about its eventual starting offense.
Yaxel Lendeborg and Brandin Podziemski Lead the Warriors’ Recovery
Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg and guard Brandin Podziemski each scored 17 points.
Lendeborg added five rebounds and four assists, contributing in several areas as Golden State rebuilt its offense.
Podziemski made six of 12 field-goal attempts, including three of seven three-pointers.
Stephen Curry contributed 11 points.
The younger players demonstrated energy and the ability to create opportunities within the Warriors’ evolving system.
That is valuable for a team attempting to maintain a competitive standard while incorporating new talent around an established veteran core.
The Sports Encounter previously examined Golden State’s broader search for a future direction in its analysis of the Warriors’ aging core and ambitious roster thinking.
The Second-Half Numbers Reveal the Turning Point
The Warriors outscored the Lakers 22-13 in the third quarter.
They followed that with a 29-13 fourth quarter.
The resulting 51-26 second-half advantage transformed a 13-point halftime deficit into a 12-point victory.
The defensive improvement was decisive, particularly as Los Angeles struggled to create reliable shots and protect possessions.
The Lakers also committed a high number of turnovers, repeatedly giving Golden State chances to run before the defense could organize.
Golden State’s performance after halftime showed that defensive pressure can change the rhythm of a game even when the offense is not shooting efficiently.
That lesson will matter if the Warriors intend to compete against teams with stronger offensive depth and more stable rotations.
Steve Kerr’s New Offensive System Still Needs Work
Kerr has been introducing a more structured five-out approach designed to create spacing, passing opportunities and clearer offensive decisions.
The Warriors have not yet reached the level of consistency required to execute it comfortably.
Continue the NBA Story
NBANBA Preseason: Knicks Turn a 50-Point Humiliation Into Victory as Rockets Unleash 53-Three-Point Attack
NBAGiannis Flirts With Triple-Double, Duren Erupts in 15 Minutes as NBA Preseason Exposes Teams’ Lessons
NBAKnicks Have the Ring, Edwards and Ball Have the Rhythm: 5 NBA Preseason Games with Different StoriesSpacing is effective only when players understand where to move, when to screen, and how to respond when a defender closes a passing lane.
Several possessions against Los Angeles demonstrated the difficulty of coordinating those decisions.
The second-half rally provides encouragement, but it would be misleading to declare the system fully established because Golden State won.
The team must reduce unnecessary turnovers and improve the connection between its veteran players and emerging rotation options.
The Lakers Must Establish an Identity Beyond Individual Scoring
Los Angeles faces its own structural question.
Reaves scored efficiently, and Kessler provided an encouraging presence inside. Yet the Lakers lost control when Golden State increased defensive pressure.
The late collapse shows that individual scoring performances cannot always compensate for poor ball security and ineffective half-court execution.
The Lakers’ new era has also followed significant roster changes, including LeBron James moving to Philadelphia. TSE previously analyzed that move in its report on James joining the 76ers for his 24th NBA season.
The challenge now is constructing a dependable offense around the available personnel rather than relying on isolated high-scoring stretches.
Golden State and Los Angeles will meet again on October 21 in the regular season, offering an early opportunity to compare the preseason lessons with a more consequential matchup.
NBA Preseason October 13: The Top Individual Performances
Across five games, several players delivered performances that deserve individual recognition beyond their teams’ results.
| Player | Team | Points | Additional Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Reaves | Lakers | 28 | 7 assists, 4 rebounds |
| Deni Avdija | Trail Blazers | 26 | 9 rebounds, 4 assists |
| Paolo Banchero | Magic | 24 | 8 rebounds |
| Tyrese Haliburton | Pacers | 24 | 24 first-half points |
| Kawhi Leonard | Raptors | 21 | 5 rebounds, 2 steals |
| Jared McCain | Thunder | 20 | Bench scoring leader |
| Franz Wagner | Magic | 20 | 8 assists |
| Scottie Barnes | Raptors | 19 | 6 rebounds, 4 assists |
| Collin Murray-Boyles | Raptors | 19 | 9 rebounds, 7-of-7 shooting |
| James Wiseman | Knicks | 18 | 10 rebounds |
| Yaxel Lendeborg | Warriors | 17 | 5 rebounds, 4 assists |
| Brandin Podziemski | Warriors | 17 | 5 rebounds |
These figures should be interpreted within the context of playing time and competition. Leonard’s 21 points in fewer than 17 minutes carry a different implication from a player scoring heavily during extended reserve-lineup minutes.
Similarly, Reaves’ 28 points were impressive, but they did not prevent the Lakers from losing after halftime.
The most useful analysis considers production, efficiency, opponent quality and the demands of the player’s intended regular-season role.
What the Five Games Reveal About the 2026-27 NBA Season
Preseason basketball is not designed to produce definitive championship rankings.
Coaches use the games to test personnel combinations, assess players returning from injury, install tactical adjustments and make decisions about the final roster.
The October 13 results nevertheless provide several important observations.
Toronto Has More Offensive Options, but Its First Major Test Is Still Ahead
The Raptors showed that Leonard can score efficiently alongside Barnes and the team’s other established players.
That is an encouraging starting point.
The question is whether Toronto can maintain the same balance against a full-strength opponent capable of denying its preferred actions.
More competitive minutes will also reveal how comfortably Leonard can increase his workload.
Orlando’s Offensive Development Could Change Its Ceiling
Banchero and Wagner both produced high-level performances against Cleveland.
Their ability to contribute as scorers and creators gives Orlando more than one route to generating offense.
If the Magic can sustain those advantages against stronger defensive resistance, their offense could become more difficult to contain.
The Cavaliers, meanwhile, need to improve defensive communication and their ability to contain penetration.
Oklahoma City Must Balance Defensive Pressure With Rebounding
The Thunder recovered from a 20-point deficit by creating turnovers and gaining control of important possessions.
That resilience is encouraging.
However, being outrebounded 69-48 shows that there are areas the team must improve.
Concern about Oweh’s injury also introduces an immediate personnel question.
Portland’s Roster Has Intriguing Possibilities and Significant Questions
Avdija’s efficient scoring and the contributions of Morant, Lillard and Henderson provide reasons for optimism.
But Portland still needs to clarify how its guards will share responsibilities and whether the team can produce more reliable outside shooting.
Its three-game unbeaten preseason start is encouraging without establishing that every rotation problem has been solved.
Golden State’s Younger Players May Become Essential
The Warriors’ comeback demonstrated the value of energy and defensive engagement from their emerging players.
Lendeborg and Podziemski contributed 34 combined points.
Their production provides evidence that Golden State may have useful support around Curry.
The larger question concerns whether the team can execute Kerr’s revised offense consistently when its veterans and younger players share the court.
Those concerns connect to the broader roster decisions examined in TSE’s analysis of the biggest offseason moves shaping the championship race.
What Happens Next: The Final Preseason Tests Before Opening Night
The NBA regular season begins on October 20.
The remaining preseason schedule gives coaches limited opportunities to test final combinations before the games begin counting toward league standings.
Several upcoming matchups deserve particular attention.
| Date | Game | What to Watch |
|---|---|---|
| October 15 | Toronto at New York | Knicks’ lineup decisions and Raptors’ integration of Leonard |
| October 15 | Oklahoma City at Houston | Thunder rotation and Oweh’s availability |
| October 16 | Portland at Golden State | Guard rotations and Warriors’ offensive organization |
| October 16 | Denver at Los Angeles Lakers | Lakers’ ball security and frontcourt combinations |
| October 20 | San Antonio at Oklahoma City | Thunder regular-season opener |
| October 21 | Golden State at Los Angeles Lakers | Regular-season rematch |
Additional fixtures and the opening-week schedule are examined in TSE’s 2026-27 NBA schedule analysis.
The important distinction is that preseason performance provides information for coaching decisions. It does not contribute wins or losses to the regular-season standings.
The Sports Encounter Verdict: The Scoreboard Matters Less Than the Questions It Exposed
Toronto produced the most emphatic result, and Leonard supplied the night’s most significant individual storyline.
His 21-point performance in fewer than 17 minutes offered encouraging evidence that he can make an immediate offensive contribution following his return to the Raptors.
Yet the 50-point margin should not be used to claim that Toronto has suddenly overtaken the defending champion Knicks. The two teams did not field comparable lineups.
Golden State produced the most instructive comeback. Its victory over the Lakers showed how quickly defensive engagement and improved ball pressure can reverse a game, even when offensive execution remains inconsistent.
Oklahoma City offered another lesson in resilience, recovering from 20 points down and overcoming a significant rebounding disadvantage to defeat Indiana.
Orlando’s 132-point performance demonstrated the possibilities created by Banchero and Wagner sharing offensive responsibility. Portland’s win suggested that Avdija can remain efficient within a crowded collection of established playmakers.
For the losing teams, the questions are equally important.
The Lakers must protect possessions and sustain half-court execution. Cleveland must improve defensive containment. Indiana cannot allow turnover problems to cancel out its rebounding advantages. Sacramento needs to assess its intended rotation once important players return. New York must determine which reserve combinations are dependable enough to support its championship core.
Those are the observations most likely to remain useful after the preseason results themselves have faded from memory.
October 13 produced spectacular scores, but the real value lies in what those games revealed before the league’s 30 teams begin playing for results that count.
NBA Preseason October 13, 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
How Many NBA Games Were Played on October 13, 2026?
Five NBA preseason games were played on October 13, 2026, using U.S. Eastern dates.
Did the New York Knicks Lose to the Toronto Raptors?
Yes. Toronto defeated New York 148-98. The Knicks rested their regular starters and several established bench players.
How Many Points Did Kawhi Leonard Score in His Raptors Return?
Leonard scored 21 points, grabbed five rebounds and recorded two steals in 16 minutes and 40 seconds.
Did the Warriors Come Back to Beat the Lakers?
Yes. Golden State overcame a deficit that reached 20 points and defeated Los Angeles 101-89 after outscoring the Lakers 51-26 in the second half.
Who Scored the Most Points for the Lakers?
Austin Reaves scored 28 points and added seven assists and four rebounds.
What Was the Thunder vs. Pacers Result?
Oklahoma City defeated Indiana 114-112 in overtime after recovering from a 20-point deficit.
Who Was Portland’s Top Scorer Against Sacramento?
Deni Avdija scored 26 points, collected nine rebounds and recorded four assists in Portland’s 110-98 win.
Who Led Orlando Against Cleveland?
Paolo Banchero scored 24 points with eight rebounds, while Franz Wagner added 20 points and eight assists in Orlando’s 132-116 victory.
Do NBA Preseason Games Count Toward Regular-Season Standings?
No. Preseason results do not count toward the NBA’s regular-season win-loss records.
When Does the 2026-27 NBA Regular Season Begin?
The regular season begins on October 20, 2026.
For additional NBA news, match analysis, player developments and season coverage, visit The Sports Encounter’s NBA Hub.
