The Toronto Raptors may have entered the 2026 preseason facing a terrifying frontcourt crisis, but Tuesday night’s 148–98 destruction of the New York Knicks at Scotiabank Arena offered a staggering blueprint for how Darko Rajaković’s squad plans to survive without traditional big men.
Following the decision to waive two-way big man Trey Jemison III, Toronto’s active roster features only one true center in Jakob Poeltl.
When Poeltl rests, the Raptors are forced to play severely undersized lineups, leading analysts to predict a disastrous season on the glass. However, the long-awaited return of Kawhi Leonard in Raptors threads proved that elite hustle, physical boxing-out, and relentless length can defy traditional size limitations.
”Board Man Gets Paid”: Supporting Cast Dominates the Knicks
While starting center Jakob Poeltl pulled down just five rebounds in limited action, Toronto’s wing and forward rotation exploded on the glass, combining for a monstrous 51 total rebounds against New York.
With Leonard returning to anchor the perimeter and setting a physical tone, Toronto’s supporting cast relentlessly swarmed the paint to seal off second-chance opportunities:
- Collin Murray-Boyles (CMB): Dominated the interior with 9 rebounds, utilizing raw strength, elite positioning, and explosive leaps to bully New York’s frontcourt.
- Kawhi Leonard & RJ Barrett: Formed a physical rebounding wall on the defensive glass, locking down box-outs the moment shots left the air.
- Allen Graves: The energetic rookie injected immediate hustle in his preseason debut, tipping loose balls to teammates and extending possessions.
Rajaković’s defensive scheme was crystal clear: whenever a shot went up, two to three players immediately executed strict box-outs, relying on team coordination rather than standing height to secure the ball.
Can “Hustle Over Height” Hold Up Against Eastern Conference Giants?
While beating a shorthanded Knicks squad on the glass provides immense relief for Raptors fans, relying entirely on undersized wings to out-rebound opponents carries major long-term risks.
Throughout a grueling 82-game regular season, battling larger, physical frontcourts like the Boston Celtics or Houston Rockets will test the physical limits of Leonard, Barnes, and Murray-Boyles. On nights when outside shots fail to fall and physical fatigue sets in, the lack of a true backup seven-footer could still cost Toronto crucial possessions.
However, Tuesday’s explosive showing proved that as long as Kawhi Leonard is on the floor instilling his legendary “Board Man” work ethic, the Raptors have the physical grit and athletic length to turn a glaring roster weakness into their absolute biggest strength.
