Kawhi Leonard has not played since 23 October. The swelling in his left knee has no firm timeline, and the Raptors expect to re-evaluate him on Wednesday. Chris Haynes has reported he will miss at least three to four weeks.
Toronto is 2-3 without him and 4-3 overall. Here is what has been reported about this Kawhi Leonard injury so far, and what it means for the next few weeks of Toronto Raptors games.
What the Raptors and the reporters have said
| Date | Source | What was said |
|---|---|---|
| 25 October | The Raptors | Late scratch before the game in Minnesota |
| 27 October | The Raptors, via the Associated Press | Out at least a week with swelling in the left knee. Tests showed no acute injury |
| 27 October | Shams Charania, ESPN | Expected to miss “a period of weeks” |
| 29 October | Chris Haynes | At least three to four weeks |
| 29 October | Josh Lewenberg, TSN | Hard to put a timeline on it. Re-evaluation expected on Wednesday 4 November |
The club said Leonard is on a treatment and rehabilitation program to bring the swelling down. Darko Rajakovic said on 29 October there was still no timetable, and that Leonard was having treatment away from Toronto and responding well.
Lewenberg’s reading was that the absence could run longer than three to four weeks. It could also be shorter. It depends on how the knee responds, and the Raptors’ hope, he reported, is that it will be less.
Two games back in Toronto
Leonard returned to Toronto in a trade with the Clippers this summer, seven years after he led the club to its only title as Finals MVP, and he scored 23 in the opener against Chicago. Two nights later in Washington he had 16 on 5-of-17.
Across those two games he averaged 19.5 points and 7.5 rebounds, on 32.4 per cent shooting. Last season he averaged a career-best 27.9 points in 65 games for the Clippers. He is 35 and has a long history of knee trouble.
How Toronto has played without him
The Raptors lost 117-94 in Minnesota on the night he was scratched. Since then they have beaten Orlando 129-99, lost the rematch 121-114 and split a weekend in Los Angeles: 131-125 to the Lakers, then a 125-118 win over the Clippers on Monday.
Scottie Barnes has carried more of it. He averages 24.4 points and scored 41 against Orlando. RJ Barrett, born in Toronto, adds 20.7, and Immanuel Quickley had 27 at the Clippers.
Jakob Poeltl has missed the last two games with bursitis in his left shoulder, and Nate Bittle is out with his foot. Collin Murray-Boyles started at the Clippers and had 18 points.
The games he could miss
The reports say at least three to four weeks. Counted from 29 October, the earliest Leonard could return is 19 November, and it could be later. Before that date he would miss these games:
| Date | Game |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 4 November | Raptors at Nuggets |
| Friday 6 November | Raptors at Bucks |
| Monday 9 November | Grizzlies at Raptors |
| Wednesday 11 November | Celtics at Raptors |
| Thursday 12 November | Raptors at 76ers |
| Sunday 15 November | Knicks at Raptors |
| Tuesday 17 November | Knicks at Raptors |
| Wednesday 18 November | Wizards at Raptors |
Our Raptors vs Nuggets preview for Wednesday has the full team news. TV for every game is on our guide to how to watch the Raptors.
What it means if you bet on the Raptors
Until Wednesday’s update, Toronto’s lines are being set without Leonard. A clear return date would move them, and so would a setback. The Kawhi Leonard injury is also the biggest question over the club’s season-long prices.
Our NBA championship odds page carries the title board. The NBA injury report is rebuilt every day, so check it before you bet on a Toronto game.
There is no date. The Raptors expect to re-evaluate his left knee on Wednesday 4 November, and Chris Haynes has reported at least three to four weeks out.
Swelling in his left knee. The Raptors said on 27 October that tests showed no acute injury and that he would follow a treatment and rehabilitation program.
They are 2-3 in the games he has missed, including a 125-118 win over the Clippers on 2 November.
Every Canadian on an NBA roster, Barrett included, is on our Canadians in the NBA page.
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