What to know
- Star Toronto Raptors player Kawhi Leonard will be benched for at least a week due to swelling in his left knee. Thankfully, the team said the player has no acute injury.
- The player was removed from the roster ahead of Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to the swelling.
- Leonard is set to undergo a treatment and rehabilitation program to address the current swelling. He will be out of commission from games for at least a week, but the team did not provide a specific return date.
- Fellow player Scottie Barnes did not seem worried, telling reporters the team will “hold the fort down” until Leonard returns.
Just a month after rejoining the Toronto Raptors, star player Kawhi Leonard will be benched for at least a week due to knee issues. However, fellow player Scottie Barnes isn’t worried.
In a release on Tuesday, the Raptors announced that the recently acquired Leonard would be stuck on the sidelines for at least a week after some swelling in his left knee.
Leonard was removed at the last minute from Toronto’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, due to the recent flare-up.
Thankfully, the team announced there was no acute injury in Leonard’s left knee, a welcome update given the forward’s extensive history of knee problems.
According to fantasy basketball website Hashtag Basketball, Leonard has experienced the most issues through his career with his knees, having faced 15 injuries of 8 different types.
A majority of his knee injuries came during his time with the LA Clippers, from 2019 until 2025. His last knee-related incident was on Apr. 7 of last year, when he missed two days due to an injury to his right knee.
Leonard’s last left knee injury was at the beginning of his time with the Clippers, when he bruised it on Nov. 16, 2019, and sat out for four days, according to Hashtag Basketball.
The Raptors said Leonard is set to undergo a treatment and rehabilitation program to address the current swelling in his left knee.
‘It’s alright,’ Raptors guard and power forward Scottie Barnes reacts
During a press question period, fellow Raptors player Scottie Barnes didn’t seem too worried about Leonard’s ongoing absence.
“It’s alright,” Barnes told a reporter. “We got to hold the fort down for my boy when he comes back. That’s all.”
The short and sweet comment came following a 117-94 loss to the Timberwolves on Sunday.
The Raptors did not provide a specific return date for Leonard.
