Raptors’ Leonard completes swollen knee treatment

Toronto Raptors announced on Tuesday night that forward Kawhi Leonard has successfully completed treatment for swelling in his left knee. The team will begin Leonard's return to play process in Toronto, with his progress updated in one week. Leonard, acquired by Toronto from the Los Angeles Clippers during the off-season, played the team's first two games of the season but was placed on the injury report one hour before tipoff of a game against Minnesota on October 25.

The Raptors later announced that Leonard would miss at least a week due to the swelling. He will be absent for the team's upcoming game against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, marking his fifth game on the injury report. While an MRI last week showed no acute injury, Leonard has a history of knee issues. He missed time during the 2018-19 season due to a left patellar injury and was seen playing through pain by teammate Danny Green.

The left knee issues continued after Leonard joined the Clippers for the 2019-20 season, often resting him on the second night of back-to-back games. Recently, Leonard has dealt with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the 2021 playoffs, sidelining him for the following season. Leonard is in his second stint with the Raptors after leading them to their only NBA championship in the 2018-19 season, earning his second NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award.

Over the first two games of this season, he averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 steals while shooting 32%.