Toronto Raptors news Thursday, November 5, 2026

No. 1 in the 30-second version

Nuggets cruise past Raptors 128-109 as Toronto falls to 4-4 without Kawhi Leonard.

Toronto shot 35 percent from three and is 2-4 without Leonard, after a 6-for-12 first quarter from deep. According to Denver Stiffs, Nikola Jokic had 32 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists through three quarters and did not play the fourth, while DeMar DeRozan was a late scratch with back spasms.

Sources: Raptors HQ · Denver Stiffs

No. 2 in the 30-second version

Raptors' Kawhi Leonard completes left knee treatment and begins the return-to-play process.

Toronto announced that Leonard finished treatment for left knee swelling, according to ESPN. Raptors HQ, a fan site, reports Leonard had missed the last five games, a stretch in which Toronto went 2-3.

Sources: ESPN · Raptors HQ

Raptors HQ says Toronto's offensive rebounding could blunt Nikola Jokic despite thin depth at center.

Denver allows a league-worst 14.5 offensive rebounds per game, while Toronto ranks first at 15.3. The article says Jakob Poeltl was listed as questionable with left shoulder bursitis and that Collin Murray-Boyles has stepped back from his playoff form. The piece was written before the game, which Denver won 128-109.

Source: Raptors HQ

No. 3 in the 30-second version

Wembanyama scores career-high 52 points with 24 rebounds and 8 blocks, Spurs edge Mavericks 112-111.

Wembanyama sank the winning free throw, and Kyrie Irving's last-second shot for Dallas missed the rim. Wembanyama had 29 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks at halftime, and Irving led Dallas with 29 points. Wembanyama briefly left the game with an apparent ankle injury and later said he has been sick, and the NBA said his line is the first 50-point, 20-rebound, 5-block game since Bob McAdoo in 1974.

Sources: BBC · ESPN · Yahoo Sports · USA TODAY Sports

Luka Doncic scores 40 points as Lakers beat Kings 116-103 in Sacramento.

Doncic has scored 40-plus points in three straight games and in five of his last six, and he shot 11 of 23 with nine rebounds and seven assists. Austin Reaves added 21 points and Walker Kessler had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Lakers, who are 7-2. Darius Acuff led Sacramento with 22 points and 12 assists in the loss, which dropped the Kings to 1-7. During the game, a courtside fan threw the ball at an official and was removed from the arena.

Sources: LA Times · Yahoo Sports · Silver Screen and Roll · Hot Hot Hoops

76ers beat Pistons 112-106 as Joel Embiid draws a technical after a shoving match with Tolu Smith.

Jaylen Brown led Philadelphia with 30 points, and Embiid scored 26 with LeBron James adding 13 points and 10 rebounds. Cade Cunningham had 26 points for Detroit, which cut a 13-point Philadelphia lead late to four. The technical was Embiid's first of the season, and the win moved the Sixers to 8-1 after their only earlier loss, to Detroit on Oct. 25.

Sources: Yahoo Sports · USA TODAY Sports · Liberty Ballers

Nets beat Hornets 114-104, with Michael Porter Jr. scoring 26 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

Brooklyn (2-6) rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit and outscored Charlotte 34-24 in the fourth quarter, according to the NY Post. Julius Randle added 22 points, and rookie Mikel Brown Jr. scored a career-high 18. Charlotte (3-6) lost its fifth straight game after opening 3-1, and Kon Knueppel left in the first quarter with left leg soreness in his return from a hamstring strain.

Sources: SNY · NY Post Sports · At The Hive

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 42 as the Thunder beat the Cavaliers 124-116, extending Cleveland's losing streak to five against OKC.

Cleveland trailed by 17 after the first quarter and never fully caught up, according to SB Nation. James Harden finished with 19 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, and Donovan Mitchell scored 27 with most of his points in the fourth quarter. Peyton Watson and Jaylon Tyson were out for Cleveland, and Tyrese Proctor reportedly left late with an ankle injury, per SB Nation.

Sources: Yahoo Sports · Fear The Sword