Kawhi Leonard is headed back to Toronto. Getting back on the court is the next step.
The Raptors announced Tuesday, Nov. 3 that Leonard, 35, has completed treatment for swelling in his left knee and will begin the return-to-play process in Toronto. The team will update his progress in one week.
Leonard has missed five consecutive games. He felt something in the knee during pregame warmups Oct. 25 and was scratched from a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. An MRI showed no structural damage.
Coach Darko Rajakovic said Oct. 29 that Leonard was getting his treatment outside of Toronto. At the time, NBA insider Chris Haynes reported Leonard would miss at least three to four weeks. The Raptors didn't say Tuesday whether that window has changed.
This
left knee problem is new.
Leonard already has injury history with the right knee. Leonard tore the ACL in his right knee in the 2021 NBA playoffs and the meniscus in the 2023 playoffs – both with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Toronto brought the two-time NBA Finals MVP back this offseason, sending Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and draft picks to Los Angeles. The deal was agreed to in late June, then sat until September while the NBA investigated the Clippers and Leonard for a salary cap circumvention scheme. The league fined Leonard $700,000. He signed a two-year, $115 million extension with Toronto soon after.
Leonard played in the Raptors' first two games, both wins. He averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals but shot just 32.4% from the field. Last season, he played 65 games for the Clippers and averaged 27.9 points.
The Raptors (4-3) are 2-3 without him. The next update is due Nov. 10.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kawhi Leonard injury update: Raptors star finishes knee treatment but still out
