Raptors star Kawhi Leonard out at least one week with left knee swelling

“We’ve just got to be very intentional with the work. We’re going to be very intentional on how we want to guard, what small adjustments we can make and how we can improve.”

Toronto (2-1) will host the Orlando Magic on Wednesday and Friday. The latter game is an NBA Cup matchup.

The Raptors will then travel to Los Angeles, Leonard’s hometown, to play the Lakers on Sunday and the Clippers on Monday.

“In a weird way, because it’s just the beginning of the season, it gives us more time to work on that,” said Rajakovic. “I’m sure what’s going to come out of this is that a lot of players are going to step up and improve, and we’re going to create a good chemistry through this stretch over here so that when Kawhi comes back, it’s going to be even easier for him to fit in.”

The 35-year-old Leonard has averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 steals, 1.5 assists and 0.5 blocks in the first two games of the season. The seven-time all-star has averaged 20.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists over 800 games with the San Antonio Spurs, Clippers, and Raptors.

The two-time NBA Finals MVP was traded back to Toronto by the Clippers this past summer in a blockbuster deal that was delayed for several weeks as the NBA investigated Leonard and the Clippers for salary cap circumvention.

“I came back to compete with this team and I’m focused on getting back to 100,” said Leonard in a message posted to social media on Tuesday. “Toronto, I’ve appreciated the love since I’ve been back. Returning soon.”

Leonard was instrumental in the Raptors’ only NBA championship in 2019 and his return to Toronto created big expectations for a deep playoff run.

The Raptors say there was no pain in Leonard’s knee and believe the swelling is a result of wear and tear rather than an injury. But he has had issues with both knees during his career.

Leonard missed time during his 2018-19 season with Toronto because of a left patellar injury that appeared to still be bothering him during the Raptors’ championship run. Teammate Danny Green said during Toronto’s Eastern Conference final against Milwaukee that Leonard was “playing through pain.”

The left knee issues persisted after Leonard signed with the Clippers for the 2019-20 season, with the team often resting him on the second night of back-to-backs.

Leonard has more recently dealt with significant injuries to his right knee, including a torn anterior cruciate ligament sustained during the 2021 playoffs that kept him out of the following season.

RJ Barrett scored 20 points in the Raptors’ loss in Minnesota. He said that Toronto would have to adopt a “next man up” mentality with Leonard out for an unknown period of time.

“I think injuries are a part of the game,” the forward from Mississauga, Ont., said. “Obviously, we wish everybody could play every game, but injuries are part of the game. That’s why you have a whole team.

“We hope that he recovers and comes back as fast as possible because I think, as you can see, when he’s in the lineup how much it changes our team.”

Third-year player Ja’Kobe Walter was slotted into Leonard’s place in Toronto’s starting five on Sunday. He led the Raptors with 22 points, including five three-pointers, against the Timberwolves.

“We know what Ja’Kobe can do, his intensity on defence,” said all-star Scottie Barnes, who was held pointless by Minnesota. “He’s going to try. He’s going to guard. Going to pick up. He’s going to shoot threes, make shots. Just keep being aggressive.

“You saw what he did, he had 22. So just keep being aggressive. Keep shooting those open shots. It’s going to create more openness for everybody.”

Walter had averaged 8.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in his three seasons with Toronto.

Rajakovic said that Walter will definitely see more playing time with Leonard out, but that the 22-year-old won’t necessarily start in every game.

“It really depends who is the other team that we’re facing that night. What are the matchups?” said Rajakovic. “I think (Walter) fits in with our status really well because he provides a great outlet, great three-point shooting, but he’s not the only person that can do that.

“There might be nights that we need to go to a bigger lineup. There might be nights that we need to go smaller. We’re going to take it game by game.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 27, 2026.

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Raptors star Kawhi Leonard out at least one week with left knee swelling

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