Knicks defeat Raptors in preseason clash

The New York Knicks, who recently won the NBA championship, defeated the Toronto Raptors 122-120 in a preseason game at Madison Square Garden. This match provided early insights into how each team might perform during the upcoming 2026-2027 season.

Key players shine for Knicks

Jalen Brunson was the standout performer for the Knicks, scoring 20 points and dishing out 7 assists in 29 minutes. In contrast, French player Mohamed Diawara had a tough game, managing only 6 points on 2-of-10 shooting from the field.

Raptors' efforts fall short

Despite strong contributions from RJ Barrett, who scored 21 points, and Scottie Barnes, who added 23 points, the Raptors were unable to overcome the Knicks. Kawhi Leonard, a new addition to the team, was held in check, scoring just 6 points on 5 shots.

Rockets dominate Thunder in preseason

In another preseason game, the Houston Rockets overwhelmed the Oklahoma City Thunder with a dominant first quarter, leading 33-15. The Rockets relied heavily on their center Alperen Sengun, who recorded 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Thunder's shooting struggles exposed

The Thunder struggled offensively, shooting only 14% from three-point range (5-of-36). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a difficult night, scoring 17 points on 5-of-12 shooting. Their poor performance highlighted potential issues heading into the regular season, which begins on October 21 with a game against the San Antonio Spurs, featuring Victor Wembanyama.