Kawhi Leonard’s first injury setback of the season is here, and Toronto is already preparing to move on without him for a stretch.
The Raptors announced Tuesday that Leonard is out because of swelling in his left knee and will be re-evaluated in one week. In the team’s statement, Toronto said Leonard “will undergo a treatment and rehabilitation program to address swelling in his left knee. Medical imaging revealed no acute injury.”
That last part is the encouraging piece. The timeline, though, suggests this could be more than a quick detour. ESPN’s Shams Charania described it as a “period of weeks,” and Toronto will have to navigate a loaded portion of its schedule without the superstar it traded for this summer knowing full well this was part of the package.
At the very least, Leonard is expected to miss Toronto’s two games against Orlando this week, then the back-to-back in Los Angeles on Sunday and Monday against the Lakers and Clippers. That includes his only trip to Intuit Dome this season. After that comes another road swing against the Nuggets and Bucks, and it would not be a surprise if he sits for those games as well.
The knee issue popped up quickly and without much warning. Leonard played 28 minutes in the Raptors’ win at Washington last Friday, traveled with the team to Minnesota, and went through his usual pregame routine Sunday before being scratched late because of the left knee.
So far this season, Leonard has played in two games, both Toronto wins. He’s averaging 19.5 points and 7.5 rebounds, and while the shot hasn’t been falling - he’s at 32.4% - his process has looked like the All-NBA version from a season ago.
He has been getting to his spots. The makes just haven’t followed yet.
With Leonard and Scottie Barnes at the front of the defense, Toronto has the kind of edge that can carry it through a lot of games, and even a lot of playoff games. But that formula only holds if Leonard is on the floor. Right now, the only thing that matters is getting him healthy.
In Other News...
Raptors-Magic Suddenly Looks Very Different After New Injury News
What had looked like a straightforward Raptors-Magic matchup has quickly taken on a very different feel after the latest injury updates. Toronto will be without Kawhi Leonard for several weeks because of right knee inflammation, leaving a significant hole in the lineup and altering the way the team will have to approach the stretch ahead.
Orlando is dealing with its own setbacks, with Paolo Banchero expected out for 4-6 weeks because of a right high ankle sprain and Jalen Suggs sidelined for two games with a right knee bone bruise. Anthony Black, who had been listed as questionable, has been cleared to play, giving the Magic at least one more available body as both teams adjust to a suddenly thinner game plan. [Read more 🡒]
Magic Face An Early Test As Injuries Raise The Stakes
The Raptors head into their matchup with Orlando still sorting through the offensive issues that showed up in the loss to Minnesota, where Scottie Barnes had a particularly rough night. Toronto needs more from its young centerpiece, especially in terms of aggressiveness and playmaking, and this stretch against the Magic offers a chance to reset before the seasons early frustrations settle in.
Orlando comes in dealing with its own injury problems, with Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs both sidelined, which changes the look of the game even if the challenge remains real. For Toronto, that only adds to the importance of handling business against a depleted opponent, because the Raptors can use a clean offensive performance just as much as they need a result. [Read more 🡒]
Scottie Barnes Is Raising A Real Concern For The Raptors Offense
Scottie Barnes early-season shot profile has become a notable wrinkle for the Raptors, and not necessarily the kind that encourages confidence. Instead of living at the rim the way he has in past seasons, Barnes has been leaning more heavily into mid-range looks, a shift that has altered the balance of Torontos offense and taken some of the pressure off defenders to protect the paint.
Darko Rajakovic has said opposing coverages have played a role in that change, but the larger concern is whether Barnes can get back to being a consistent paint threat while still operating as a playmaker. He has already shown flashes in the opening stretch, then followed that with a rough shooting night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, which only adds to the sense that Toronto is still trying to figure out how best to use its most important young piece. [Read more 🡒]