Kawhi Leonard begins return to play process after knee treatment
The star forward has completed treatment for swelling in his left knee and will be re-evaluated in one week.
TORONTO · The Toronto Raptors said Tuesday that Kawhi Leonard has finished treatment for swelling in his left knee. The team stated Leonard will now start his return to play process in Toronto, with another update scheduled in one week. He has been out since Oct. 25, missing five games for the 4-3 Raptors. Leonard will miss his sixth game when Toronto visits the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.
What caused Kawhi Leonard to miss games?
Leonard played in the Raptors' first two games of the season but was scratched an hour before their Oct. 25 game in Minnesota. He felt swelling in his left knee during pre-game warm-ups. The team announced two days later he would be out for at least one week. Medical imaging showed no structural damage to the knee. According to league sources, Leonard suffered irritation from long-term wear and tear, not a new injury.
What is Kawhi Leonard's injury history?
Leonard has a history of knee problems dating to his first stint with Toronto. He missed games in the 2018-19 season with a left patellar injury that lingered during the championship run. Teammate Danny Green said during the Eastern Conference final that Leonard was “playing through pain.” After joining the Los Angeles Clippers, he was often rested on back-to-back nights. More recently, he tore the ACL in his right knee during the 2021 playoffs, costing him the next season. Over the past decade, he has missed 44 per cent of his team's games.
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How has Kawhi Leonard performed this season?
In his two appearances this season, Leonard averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals. He shot just 32 per cent from the field and struggled to finish around the rim. His preseason preparation was limited, as he did not participate in live scrimmages during training camp. Garbutt Disposal reported in October that Leonard was unlikely to play in the team's first preseason game as he built up his conditioning. Last season with the Clippers, he averaged 27.9 points over 65 games.
What is the status of Kawhi Leonard's contract?
The Raptors reacquired Leonard this offseason in a trade that sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and multiple draft picks to the Clippers. The deal was delayed while the NBA investigated salary cap circumvention allegations, resulting in a $700,000 fine for Leonard. He subsequently signed a two-year, $115 million extension with Toronto that runs through the 2028-29 season. He is currently earning $50.3 million on the final year of his previous contract. Head coach Darko Rajakovic said Leonard's absence is felt across the roster. “We feel (his absence) everywhere. We’re talking about Kawhi Leonard. We feel it defensively, offensively, the shot creation, the calmness he brings to the team on the court, a lot of stuff,” Rajakovic said. The next update on Leonard's progress is due on Nov. 10.
With files from The Canadian Press, CP24 and Sportsnet