Why Kawhi Leonard sat out Raptors’ preseason game as Heat dominated in Quebec City

Miami Heat secured a stunning and dominating win in Quebec City on Saturday, and Kawhi Leonard never made it onto the floor in the Raptors' preseason opener. Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic had hinted at the outcome a day earlier, then confirmed it before tipoff at Videotron Centre. Miami led 120-101 with about two minutes left.Toronto describes the absence as a planned ramp-up after a long summer on hold, and the schedule stretches well past one night. Even the Oct. 10 game against the Clippers in Vancouver looks like a long shot.Why Kawhi Leonard did not play for the Raptors against the Heat in Quebec CityKawhi Leonard sat out because the Raptors are rebuilding his conditioning after a long summer on hold, and the team says no new injury is involved. Rajakovic told reporters before tipoff that Leonard would not face the Heat at Videotron Centre. He also said Leonard likely misses the Oct. 10 game in Vancouver. “The Raptors have been taking it slow with the oft-injured Leonard in camp, a very light head-to-head drill between the coach and the superstar after Friday's practice notwithstanding. He has yet to participate in full-contact drills," according to The Canadian Press.Leonard moved from the Clippers to Toronto in June, but the deal stalled for most of the summer while the NBA examined salary-cap circumvention involving the player and the Clippers. Rajakovic ties the long layoff directly to that pause.Leonard helped Toronto win its first NBA championship in 2019. Last season with the Clippers produced 27.9 points and 3.6 assists per game over 65 appearances, plus a spot on the All-NBA second team.The 35-year-old forward has worked through drills at practice but has not joined full-contact sessions. Leonard also skipped the intrasquad scrimmage, and the Raptors keep calling the whole process reconditioning.Rajakovic offered a lighter moment after Friday's practice, joking that Leonard had earned a game against the Heat by winning a light one-on-one. The drill was light, and the plan stayed as it was. The coach was more serious about the bigger picture, calling the situation "a day-to-day thing with Kawhi."How the Heat pulled away and what comes next for Kawhi LeonardWithout Leonard, Toronto spent most of the night chasing. Miami dropped 41 points on the Raptors in the opening quarter and carried an 18-point lead into the second. The second quarter was closer, 35-32 in Miami's favor, though the damage was done by then. By halftime, the Heat were up 76-55.The Raptors won the third quarter 25-19, trimming the gap to 15 heading into the fourth. Miami had added 25 more by the time the clock showed 2:11, with the score at 120-101. Both teams are 0-0, so the score only reflects the preseason. Finally, the Heat secured 129-105 win.TSN's Josh Lewenberg reported that Leonard is expected to miss the first two preseason games, a stretch that covers the Oct. 10 meeting with the Clippers in Vancouver.Toronto enters the 2026-27 season with real expectations and has been open about prioritizing a gradual buildup for Leonard. If the plan holds, Leonard still has three preseason chances to play before the regular season starts.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.