All articles tagged with #raptors
The planned Kawhi Leonard trade back to Toronto is on hold as the NBA investigates the Clippers, Steve Ballmer and Aspiration for potential salary-cap circumvention; Toronto won’t assume penalties until the probe concludes, leaving Leonard’s return, the Clippers’ roster strategy, and the Raptors’ reunion in limbo.
The planned Raptors–Clippers deal to reunite Kawhi Leonard is on hold while the NBA investigates Leonard’s sponsorship with Aspiration and possible salary-cap circumvention; depending on the outcome, Leonard’s contract could be voided and the trade delayed or altered, with Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks (2031 and 2033), a 2027 pick swap, and two second-rounders (2030, 2033) at stake if it proceeds. If no discipline is found, the trade would likely move forward, and officials aim to resolve the matter before the NBA Board of Governors meeting in Las Vegas.
SpaceX conducted a full six-engine static-fire on Ship 40 at Starbase, Texas, running three sea-level and three vacuum Raptors for about 60 seconds as it gears up for Starship Flight 13. The test follows a prior single-engine firing and aims to mirror much of Flight 12’s profile, including a possible relight in orbit. Next steps include rolling the Super Heavy booster out for its own tests, with Flight 13 potentially launching as early as August.
Trade talks between the Clippers and Raptors over Kawhi Leonard have a framework: LA would receive Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and a first-round pick, but the Clippers are pushing for more value, including Jamal Shead to take on Dick’s contract. The teams disagree on which picks to include, with Toronto preferring 2027 or 2028 first-rounders and LA seeking two firsts, including a far-future pick if Shead isn’t involved. Toronto hasn’t moved Collin Murray-Boyles or Ja’Kobe Walter, and the Clippers aren’t being rushed—LA has offered a Leonard extension (not the max), a figure Toronto is more willing to meet, keeping the deal unsettled for now.
Live updates on the 2026 NBA free agency kickoff with LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard at the center of major rumors (LeBron to Warriors, Leonard potentially back to Toronto), plus interest in restricted free agents like Jalen Duren and Walker Kessler as teams navigate trades, extensions, and cap space ahead of opening night.
Raptors-Clippers trade discussions for Kawhi Leonard are gaining serious momentum with a potential reunion in Toronto, while the Clippers aren’t pursuing Jaylen Brown this offseason. Russell Westbrook has drawn interest from the Wizards, and the Kings aim to re-sign Precious Achiuwa and add Daeqwon Plowden. The Lakers are expected to meet with Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren amid a broader RFAs/free-agent backdrop, with other rumors tying in players like Sandro Mamukelashvili and Peyton Watson to various teams. Meanwhile, the Magic are set to re-sign Jonathan Isaac, Norman Powell remains a possible Bulls target, and Kuminga/Beal/Middleton chatter continues to percolate across several franchises.
From an overlooked AAU moment to a Finals‑level, two‑way impact player, OG Anunoby’s ascent has been built on relentless, incremental improvement—defense, refined shooting, and clutch finishing—nurtured by Toronto’s tough‑love culture and now carried by the Knicks. His story isn’t luck or a single breakout; it’s a singular arc shaped by injuries, mentorship, and family, steadily sharpening every facet of his game.
Jarrett Allen poured in 22 points and pulled down 19 rebounds to lead the Cavaliers to a 114-102 Game 7 victory over the Raptors, out-rebounding Toronto 60-33 and advancing to the East semifinals; Cleveland got solid support from the rotation while Scottie Barnes continued to show growth for Toronto.
Game 7 in Cleveland pits the Cavaliers’ stars James Harden and Donovan Mitchell against the Raptors, who forced a deciding matchup with RJ Barrett’s OT winner. The series has been razor-thin, with Toronto’s aggressive defense fueling its transition game and keeping Harden and Mitchell unsettled. Cleveland hopes to close it on home soil after a tightly contested series, while Toronto tries to buck a historical trend (0-10 in playoff games in Cleveland) with big performances from Barrett and Scottie Barnes and sustained hustle.
The Cavaliers blew a golden opportunity in Game 6, failing to start with the necessary focus as Toronto pulled away, then saw Donovan Mitchell struggle to impose his will for three quarters before a late surge. Evan Mobley delivered a standout late showing, and James Harden contributed with playmaking and rebounds, but poor early defense and questionable coaching decisions by Kenny Atkinson—including late-game setups and inbound choices—left Cleveland vulnerable to a 112-110 loss that forces a deciding Game 7.
Cleveland erased a 12-point deficit in the third quarter and rode a late surge from Dennis Schroder to beat Toronto 125-120, grabbing a 3-2 series edge. The Cavs attacked the paint in the second half (14-for-25) while limiting the Raptors to 9-for-26 in the final two quarters, with Schroder scoring 17 points in the fourth as Donovan Mitchell cooled. Evan Mobley added 23 points, including timely threes that sparked the comeback. Toronto was shorthanded after Brandon Ingram left with a heel injury, and Barnes/Barrett cooled after a strong first half. A Strus-for-Wade lineup change didn’t pan out, but coach Atkinson called the win progress toward getting to the next level, even as Cleveland seeks more consistent playoff scoring.
Cleveland hosts Toronto with the series tied and three key questions in play: can Toronto’s defense slow Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, will Cavaliers’ 3-point shooting rebalance the series, and will rookies Jamal Shead and Collin Murray-Boyles continue to impact the rotation in Game 5.
Cleveland let a potential 3-1 series lead slip away as Toronto escaped with a 93-89 victory in a game defined by brutal shooting (Raptors 32% FG, 4-30 from three) and a heavy emphasis on second chances (21 offensive rebounds) that fueled 19-7 in second-chance points. Cleveland’s turnover woes (18 to Toronto’s 12) and a poor shooting night from Donovan Mitchell (20 points on 6-24) — including 0-4 at the rim — hamstrung the Cavs’ offense, while Toronto’s relentless grabbing of misses and the Cavs’ inability to get to the rim capped a frustrating night for Cleveland.
Sunday's playoff slate delivered four winners—Houston silenced the Lakers 115-96 to extend Los Angeles’ series lead, San Antonio blasted Portland 114-93 behind a dominant second half led by De'Aaron Fox, Boston crushed Philadelphia 128-96 with Payton Pritchard erupting for 32 off the bench, and Toronto edged Cleveland 93-89 as Collin Murray-Boyles anchored late defense and logged a double-double. LeBron James had a rare rough night with 10 points as the Cavs’ backcourt sputtered, Scoot Henderson went scoreless for Portland, and rebounding/ball-control issues lingered for Philadelphia as the favorites in several series tighten up heading into the next games.
Toronto rallied to a 93-89 win in Game 4 to even the series at 2-2, led by Scottie Barnes’ all-around (23 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists) and rookie Collin Murray-Boyles’s 15 points, 10 rebounds. Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell and James Harden struggled, late turnovers and sharp Raptors defense sealed the victory, setting up a pivotal Game 5 in Cleveland.