Toronto Raptors Star Kawhi Leonard Sidelined Weeks with Knee Swelling
Toronto Raptors star Kawhi Leonard is set to miss several weeks due to left knee swelling, halting his momentum after a stellar start to the NBA season.
Kawhi Leonard's return to the Toronto Raptors has hit an early roadblock as the 35-year-old star is expected to miss several weeks due to left knee swelling. The forward was a late scratch from the lineup ahead of the team's opening-week loss to Minnesota.
An MRI exam revealed no structural damage, but Leonard will undergo treatment and rehabilitation, with Raptors medical staff planning to re-evaluate his condition in a week. Leonard participated in pre-game shootaround before experiencing discomfort.
The forward played in Toronto's first two games of the season, averaging 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 3.5 steals in 25.8 minutes. His early campaign has been complicated by the offseason trade saga and subsequent NBA investigation.
This absence adds to a complex medical history. Over 14 seasons, Leonard has played at least 60 regular-season games just eight times. Last year with the Los Angeles Clippers, he appeared in 65 games, averaging 27.9 points, and signed a two-year, $115 million contract extension after arriving in Toronto via trade.
