Timberwolves rout Raptors 117-94 in home opener as Kawhi Leonard sits and Scottie Barnes goes 0 for 12

Final: Timberwolves 117, Raptors 94. The Minnesota Timberwolves opened their home schedule the same way they started the season, with a blowout. Anthony Edwards scored 26 points in 27 minutes and Minnesota beat a Toronto Raptors team missing Kawhi Leonard 117-94 on Sunday, Oct. 25, in Minneapolis, according to The Associated Press.

The Timberwolves are 3-0 and have won their first three games by 25, 22 and 23 points. Toronto fell to 2-1 after the loss, its first of the season.

Raptors vs. Timberwolves score by quarter

Minnesota took control early. The Wolves held Toronto to 9-of-29 shooting in the first quarter, including 1 of 10 from 3-point range, and led by double digits late in the period, AP reported. A 35-15 third quarter blew the game open, and the Raptors trailed by as many as 32 points before a late push made the final score look closer.

For the night, Minnesota shot 56% from the field and 48% from deep and outrebounded Toronto 49-34.

Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball lead the Wolves

Edwards didn’t need heavy minutes, playing just 27 in a game Minnesota controlled from the first quarter.

LaMelo Ball, playing his first regular-season home game in front of his new crowd, scored 15 points in 16 minutes and made 4 of 5 3-pointers. Foul trouble kept his minutes down, according to AP. Jaden McDaniels added 14 points, six rebounds and three blocks, and Rudy Gobert grabbed 13 rebounds while anchoring the defense.

Why was Kawhi Leonard out?

Toronto announced about an hour before tipoff that Leonard would sit with left knee swelling. He had not been on the injury report before that, AP said. It was his first missed game of the season.

Coach Darko Rajakovic said after the game that Leonard would have more medical tests on Monday before the team sets a timeline for his return, Sportsnet reported. Leonard, 35, rejoined Toronto in an offseason trade with the LA Clippers. He had averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals in two games, though Sportsnet noted he was shooting just 32.4% from the field.

ESPN pointed out that Leonard’s long injury history has mostly involved his right knee, including an ACL tear in 2021 and a meniscus tear in 2023. The Raptors haven’t said how serious the left-knee issue is.

Scottie Barnes’ rough night

With Leonard out, Minnesota could focus its defense on Scottie Barnes, and he never found the basket. Barnes went 0 of 12 from the field, including 0 of 5 from 3-point range, and didn’t attempt a free throw. He finished with three rebounds, three assists, four steals and a block, according to NBC Sports.

Toronto’s scoring came from elsewhere:

• Ja’Kobe Walter: 22 points in 31 minutes, starting in Leonard’s place
• RJ Barrett: 20 points
• Immanuel Quickley: 19 points

A warm return for Kyle Anderson

Raptors forward Kyle Anderson, a fan favorite during more than two seasons in Minnesota who played in 27 playoff games for the Wolves, got a loud ovation when he checked in late in the third quarter, AP reported. He went scoreless in 10 minutes.

What’s next

• Timberwolves: at the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night
• Raptors: host the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night, with an update on Leonard’s knee expected before then

FAQ