Kawhi Leonard’s return to Toronto has started off with a familiar feel.
Just two games into the two-time NBA champion’s return to Canada, Leonard, whose signing by the Clippers resulted in the franchise being punished for salary-cap circumvention before getting traded back to Raptors, is out indefinitely with a swollen knee.
An MRI revealed that Leonard has no structural damage, and it will be about rest and rehab to get him back on the court.
“Yeah it’s always frustrating missing time,” Leonard wrote in an X post Tuesday afternoon. “I came back to compete with this team and I’m focused on getting back to 100. Toronto, I’ve appreciated the love since I’ve been back. Returning soon.”
Leonard, 35, has had problems with his left knee before, missing time last season with what was called irritation.
This is not the same knee that he’s had surgically repaired multiple times, as he tore his right ACL in 2021 and later his meniscus in 2023.
Leonard missed Sunday’s loss to the Timberwolves after being a late scratch due to fluid buildup around his knee joint.
The star forward has not played more than 70 games in a season since the 2016-17 season when he was a member of theSpurs.
It is unclear how much time he will miss, though ESPN’s Shams Charania called it a “period of weeks,” making it almost certain that Leonard will not play 70 games again this year.
This also makes it unlikely he will be featured in any awards or All-NBA teams, as those mostly require at least 65 games played.
Leonard received a slight fine this offseason as punishment for his salary-cap circumvention scheme alongside his Uncle Dennis.
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer was fined $30 million and banned from the team for a year as a result of the transgressions.
The Raptors will rely heavily on former Knicks RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to help them replace some of the offensive production lost with Leonard’s absence.
Scottie Barnes will be the team’s focal point as their lead wing.
The Raptors are 2-1, with both wins coming while Leonard played limited minutes, topping out at 28 minutes spanning those two appearances.
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