The LA Clippers travel to Toronto to face the Raptors in the preseason opener for both teams. With new faces and division standings at stake, this matchup offers an early look at two teams with playoff aspirations.
The LA Clippers and Toronto Raptors open their 2026-27 preseason schedules against each other on October 10, 2026, at Scotiabank Arena. Both teams enter the season with identical 3rd-place division standings (Clippers in the Pacific, Raptors in the Atlantic) and plenty of offseason storylines. The Clippers are debuting a retooled roster headlined by Max Strus, while the Raptors look to build on their young core. This game won’t count in the standings, but it’s an early barometer for two franchises with big questions to answer.
LA Clippers: New Faces, Familiar Questions
The Clippers finished 3rd in the Pacific Division last season, but their offseason was dominated by moves off the court. The biggest addition is Max Strus, who arrived in a multiteam trade that sent Peyton Watson to Cleveland. Strus is expected to step into a key wing role immediately, providing shooting and defensive versatility. Bradley Beal also returns on a two-year, $13.2 million deal with a player option—a team-friendly price for a proven scorer. However, the lingering NBA investigation into owner Steve Ballmer’s alleged payments to Kawhi Leonard remains an open question, even as sources report no evidence of wrongdoing. The retirement of Russell Westbrook, a nine-time All-Star and former MVP, also reshapes the narrative around the franchise. With no recent game data, the Clippers’ preseason opener will be the first look at how Strus fits alongside Leonard and Beal.
Toronto Raptors: Building on a 3rd-Place Finish
The Raptors also enter the season 3rd in their division, the Atlantic, and are coming off a busy offseason. Their next scheduled game before this matchup is a home opener against the Miami Heat on October 3, 2026, which will give them a chance to shake off rust. Toronto’s young core remains intact, and the team is looking to take a step forward in a competitive Eastern Conference. The Raptors’ schedule release and NBA Cup group draw have generated buzz, but the on-court product is what matters. With no last-game statistics available, it’s unclear who will lead the Raptors in scoring or minutes in this preseason tilt, but expect the coaching staff to experiment with lineups and give extended run to prospects.
Head-to-Head: Preseason Priorities
Preseason games are about evaluation, not wins, but this matchup offers a few intriguing angles. The Clippers will be testing how Strus integrates with their stars, while the Raptors will be looking for defensive cohesion and bench depth. Both teams are 3rd in their respective divisions, so there’s a slight chip on their shoulders. Key factors to watch include:
- Max Strus’s shooting and defensive fit alongside Kawhi Leonard and Bradley Beal.
- Toronto’s pace and ball movement against a veteran Clippers defense.
- Bench production from both squads as they search for reliable rotation pieces.
- How each team handles the absence of any key players—though no injuries have been reported.
- Early chemistry between new and returning players on both sides.
Prediction
Expect a competitive but loose preseason game. The Clippers have more veteran star power, but the Raptors’ youth and home-court advantage could keep it close. Look for the Clippers to lean on Beal and Strus to establish an offensive rhythm, while Toronto counters with its athletic wings. In the end, the Clippers’ experience should edge out a narrow win, 108-104, as they get a small measure of revenge for a regular-season meeting that hasn’t happened yet.
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