About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kawhi Leonard's return to the Toronto Raptors has encountered a concerning setback, and he's likely to miss his lone scheduled game back in Los Angeles against his former team because of it.
The Raptors announced on Tuesday, Oct. 27 , that Leonard will undergo a treatment and rehabilitation program to address swelling in his left knee. Medical imaging did not reveal an acute injury, according to the team, and he will be reevaluated in one week.
Toronto reacquired Leonard from the Clippers this offseason , though the trade didn't become official until September while the NBA completed an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his free agency. Leonard was levied a $700,000 fine by the NBA after it was determined his representatives and the Clippers circumvented the league's salary cap rules when he signed with the team in 2019.
The relatively light punishment cleared the way for Leonard to join a Raptors team with hopes of contending in the Eastern Conference this season. Now, however, he's not expected to be available when Toronto plays its only game of the 2026-27 regular season against the Clippers at Intuit Dome on Nov. 2. The Raptors' outlook, meanwhile, suddenly depends on whether Leonard's swelling subsides or becomes a lingering concern.
Here's more on his injury situation and what it means for the Raptors moving forward:
Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) lifts up the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after defeating Golden State Warriors for the NBA Championship in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. (Kelvin Kuo, USA TODAY Sports) Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23), guard Kyle Lowry (7), forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and center Serge Ibaka (9) celebrate after beating the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. (Kyle Terada, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) celebrates winning the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP after beating the Golden State Warriors to win the NBA Championship in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. (Kyle Terada, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and Toronto Raptors center Serge Ibaka (9) celebrate with the Larry O'Brien Trophy after the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. (Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports) Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) celebrate winning the NBA Championship over the Golden State Warriors after Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on June 13, 2019. (Sergio Estrada, USA TODAY Sports) Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena in Tornto, Ontario, Canada, on June 10, 2019. (Nathan Denette, USA TODAY Sports) Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the second half in Game 3 of the 2019 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. The Raptors defeated the Warriors 123-109 to lead the series 2-1. (Kyle Terada, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dunks for a basket past Phildelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) in game one of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. (Dan Hamilton, USA TODAY Sports) Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) answers questions during media day at Scotiabank Arena in Tornto, Ontario, Canada on Sept. 24, 2018. (Dan Hamilton, USA TODAY Sports) 1 / 9 Kawhi Leonard is reuniting with the Raptors. Relive their title run Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) lifts up the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after defeating Golden State Warriors for the NBA Championship in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. (Kelvin Kuo, USA TODAY Sports) 1 / 9 Kawhi Leonard is reuniting with the Raptors. Relive their title run Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) lifts up the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after defeating Golden State Warriors for the NBA Championship in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. (Kelvin Kuo, USA TODAY Sports) 2 / 9 Kawhi Leonard is reuniting with the Raptors. Relive their title run Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23), guard Kyle Lowry (7), forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and center Serge Ibaka (9) celebrate after beating the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. (Kyle Terada, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 3 / 9 Kawhi Leonard is reuniting with the Raptors. Relive their title run Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) celebrates winning the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP after beating the Golden State Warriors to win the NBA Championship in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. (Kyle Terada, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 4 / 9 Kawhi Leonard is reuniting with the Raptors. Relive their title run Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and Toronto Raptors center Serge Ibaka (9) celebrate with the Larry O'Brien Trophy after the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. (Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports) 5 / 9 Kawhi Leonard is reuniting with the Raptors. Relive their title run Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) celebrate winning the NBA Championship over the Golden State Warriors after Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on June 13, 2019. (Sergio Estrada, USA TODAY Sports) 6 / 9 Kawhi Leonard is reuniting with the Raptors. Relive their title run Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena in Tornto, Ontario, Canada, on June 10, 2019. (Nathan Denette, USA TODAY Sports) 7 / 9 Kawhi Leonard is reuniting with the Raptors. Relive their title run Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the second half in Game 3 of the 2019 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. The Raptors defeated the Warriors 123-109 to lead the series 2-1. (Kyle Terada, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 8 / 9 Kawhi Leonard is reuniting with the Raptors. Relive their title run Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dunks for a basket past Phildelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) in game one of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. (Dan Hamilton, USA TODAY Sports) 9 / 9 Kawhi Leonard is reuniting with the Raptors. Relive their title run Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) answers questions during media day at Scotiabank Arena in Tornto, Ontario, Canada on Sept. 24, 2018. (Dan Hamilton, USA TODAY Sports) NBA: Malik Beasley to plead guilty to gambling charges
Leonard posted a message on social media that appeared designed to reassure Raptors' fans. It noted he would be "returning soon." The Clippers did not release a specific timeline for Leonard's return, other than to note he would reevaluated in one week.
"It's always frustrating missing time," Leonard said. "I came back to compete with this team and I'm focused on getting back to 100."
Leonard is coming off one of his healthiest years in recent memory, having appeared in 65 games for the Clippers during the 2025-26 season. But there were nonetheless concerns about his durability given his injury history and age.
The uncertain nature of this knee ailment only underscores the potential issues the Raptors could be forced to manage the remainder of the season. Knee swelling can sometimes become a recurring issue over the course of an 82-game season, particularly for a 35-year-old player with Leonard's extensive injury history.
There good news is an MRI revealed no structural damage, which decreases the chances that Leonard is facing an extended absence. It's also not an injury to the right knee Leonard has had surgically repaired multiple times before and during his NBA career.
If Leonard is out for "weeks," as an ESPN report suggested , the Raptors should still be able to remain in contention while he's out.
Toronto finished as a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference a year ago, and a core featuring Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and R.J. Barrett can provide enough firepower to stay afloat. Second-year forward Collin Murray-Boyles, who has drawn comparisons to Draymond Green, could benefit the most with an increased role while Leonard is sidelined.
The roster isn't quite as deep after the moves required to acquire Leonard, but Toronto's championship aspirations ultimately hinge on having him healthy in April and May, not October and November.
Leonard is averaging 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals through two games this season with the Raptors. He averaged 27.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per game during the 2025-26 season with the Clippers.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kawhi Leonard's latest injury setback raises questions for Raptors
Source: Sports
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