Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard will miss at least a week due to left knee swelling, sidelined following a late scratch against Minnesota as team medical staff implement a rehabilitation program after an MRI revealed no structural damage.
The Toronto Raptors face an immediate roster test just days into the new campaign after losing their marquee forward to persistent knee issues. Kawhi Leonard sat out Sunday’s matchup at the Target Center in Minneapolis due to fluid buildup around the joint, marking an abrupt halt to his second stint in Canada.
Medical Findings and Treatment Plan for Left Knee Swelling
Diagnostic imaging performed after the weekend brought encouraging initial news for the franchise.
Toronto's Kawhi Leonard is expected to miss a period of weeks due to swelling in his left knee, sources tell ESPN. MRI on Leonard's knee showed no structural damage, but sides will use the shorter term to ramp him back up after the stoppages during the offseason. pic.twitter.com/DBAgI3v38D
Team officials announced that Leonard will undergo a treatment and rehabilitation program to address swelling,
keeping him sidelined for at least seven days. The 35-year-old appeared in the first two games of the season, averaging 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 steals while shooting 32% across 26 minutes per contest.
The seven-time All-Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year brings 14 NBA seasons of experience to Toronto. During his initial stint with the franchise in the 2018-19 season, he played 60 games under a load management plan before leading the team to its first-ever championship and earning NBA Finals MVP honors. His career has also included stops with the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Clippers, where he played through the end of last season and posted a career-high 27.9 points per game across 65 appearances.
My interpretation: Given that Leonard was still 'ramping up' after off-season break: 39 minutes in two-preseason games and 24 and 27 minutes in first two regular season games, soonest Leonard is back is end of road trip, Nov. 9th vs. Grizzlies, or next six games. https://t.co/Pw7MLadVsz
This summer, Leonard returned to Toronto via trade from the Clippers. The transaction followed a league investigation into salary-cap circumvention involving Leonard and his uncle Dennis, which resulted in the Clippers forfeiting five first-round picks, absorbing a $30 million fine, and seeing owner Steve Ballmer alongside other executives suspended. Leonard himself paid a $700,000 fine before finalizing his contract extension with the Raptors, which carries a $115 million price tag and includes an option running through the 2028-29 campaign.
Upcoming Schedule and Missed Matchups on the West Coast
The timing of the recovery window immediately impacts several high-profile fixtures on the calendar. Leonard is projected to miss at least four consecutive games, starting with a pair of home contests against the Orlando Magic at Scotiabank Arena.
- Wednesday, October 28: Home against the Orlando Magic
- Friday, October 30: Home against the Orlando Magic
- Sunday, November 1: Away against the Los Angeles Lakers
- Monday, November 2: Away against the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome
That final fixture means Leonard will not be playing at the Intuit Dome this season, denying fans their first live look at the star since his summer trade back to Toronto.
Scottie Barnes and the Roster Shift Under Darko Rajakovic
Head coach Darko Rajakovic must now adjust his rotations as younger pieces absorb heavy minutes. Ja’Kobe Walter stepped into the starting lineup during the weekend loss in Minnesota, contributing 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting and helping silence opposing runs with perimeter scoring. Additional players such as Collin Murray-Boyles and Allen Graves are expected to log extra minutes off the bench to help fill the void left by the veteran forward’s absence.
Kawhi Leonard will miss his first game back at Intuit Dome since being traded by the Clippers. https://t.co/2dRMkJqgyc
Meanwhile, the absence places heavy scrutiny on Scottie Barnes as the team’s primary offensive focal point. Following a scoreless shooting night against the Timberwolves, analysts and fans are watching to see if Barnes can match the production he displayed last season, when Barnes averaged 22.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 10.8 assists, and 2.0 stocks (steals plus blocks) per game while shooting 36.4 percent from three across four regular-season games without Brandon Ingram.
More on Kawhi Leonard
pic.twitter.com/uYFtR3BZAo
Some more detail on Kawhi Leonard’s swollen left knee, how much time he could miss, and what we can learn about this Raptors team while he’s out: pic.twitter.com/uUnVa1tmV0
🚨 Kawhi Leonard will miss a “period of weeks” due to swelling in his left knee, per @ShamsCharania Leonard's MRI showed no structural damage pic.twitter.com/69gmwcDPDp
The Raptors say Kawhi Leonard will be sidelined for at least one week to address swelling in his left knee.The team says medical imaging revealed no acute injury. pic.twitter.com/rIsq5Xl8b7
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