Raptors' number of national TV games could highlight lingering Kawhi Leonard doubts

As the only team outside of the US, the Toronto Raptors don’t usually get a lot of games on US national TV. In the 2026-27 season, seven of their games will be on national TV—matchups with the Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia 76ers. 

That’s an increase from last season, but, as Raptors reporter Josh Lewenberg pointed out on X, it also marks a stark difference from the last time the Raptors added Kawhi Leonard. They had 15 in that season. 

There are a few potential reasons why the Raptors may have fewer nationally televised games than in their first season with Leonard. For one, it could indicate some lingering doubts that the trade will actually be completed before the season. Secondly, it could highlight the notion that the Raptors won’t be quite as good this time around.

While the first reason would be devastating for the Raptors, the other one makes sense in a way. When the Raptors traded for Leonard in 2018, they had won 59 regular-season games the season prior, which had led to their fifth consecutive playoff run and second consecutive appearance in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Moreover, Kyle Lowry had been an All-Star for four consecutive years. This time, Leonard is joining a Raptors squad fresh off its first playoff appearance in years with 25-year-old Scottie Barnes and 21-year-old Collin Murray-Boyles as two of its best players. 

Which teams have the most national TV games?

The Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, and New York Knicks lead the pack with 34 national TV games each. The Oklahoma City Thunder got 30, and the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors got 28 games on national TV. Close behind are the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves. 

After trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Miami Heat soared up to 25 national TV games, while the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets dropped to 21. The Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers have 19 and 17 national TV games, respectively. 

The Indiana Pacers and Portland Trail Blazers both have 11 games on national TV, just ahead of the Atlanta Hawks’ 10. The Phoenix Suns with 9 and the LA Clippers and Orlando Magic with eight each are the last three teams that have more games on national TV than the Raptors. 

The Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz, and Washington Wizards are right behind the Raptors with six. Last but not least, the Chicago Bulls have three, and the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, and Sacramento Kings have two. 

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