{
  "id": 16828361,
  "title": "Raptors Have Options to Replace Kawhi Leonard in Lineup; What Should Jorge Fernandez Do and When Will Leonard Return?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/raptors-have-options-to-replace-kawhi-leonard-in-lineup-what-should",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-28T01:21:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/raptors-options-replace-kawhi-leonard-012148681.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Following Kawhi Leonard's injury, Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic must devise an effective lineup to replace the star player. The primary concern lies in Leonard's absence, which has affected the team's halfcourt performance and overall offensive output. Ja'Kobe Walter, a 22-year-old forward, could step in and provide a viable solution. Walter has shown promise in his recent games, averaging 13.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.3 steals per contest. He has also demonstrated strong defensive play and is the team's fifth-best defender. Rajasthan Rajakovic's decision to start Walter in place of Leonard against the Minnesota Timberwolves proved beneficial, as the Raptors managed to hold the Timberwolves' offense at 56% from the field and 46% from beyond the arc. However, the Raptors must continue to devise strategies and make adjustments to maximize the effectiveness of the player they choose to replace Leonard in the lineup, considering their own strengths and the teams they will face.",
  "summary": "Toronto Raptors star forward Kawhi Leonard received bad news about his knees. After sitting out the Raptors' 117-94 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday due to swelling in his knee, Leonard learned that his absence will last longer than one game. \"Toronto's Kawhi Leonard is expected to miss a period of weeks due to …",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}