Kawhi Leonard is reportedly sidelined for at least three to four weeks with a left knee injury, a significant blow for the Toronto Raptors after what was initially thought to be a shorter absence. This news, dropped by NBATV’s Chris Haynes, means the Raptors will be without their star for a big chunk of the early season.
The New Timeline: More Than Just a Week
What started as a one-week absence has now spiraled into a much longer wait. After a closer look at Leonard’s left knee, the Raptors have determined he’ll miss more time than initially reported. The team’s plan is to wait until the knee is completely clear of inflammation before they even re-assess the injury. Haynes reports that this inflammation clear-up alone is expected to take three to four weeks. Only after that period will the Raptors make a decision on their next steps. This isn’t just a bump in the road, it’s a major delay that forces the team to adjust its plans for quite a while.
A Tough Start to the Season
This injury comes after Leonard was traded back to the Raptors in the offseason. He had only managed to play in two games with the team before his knee started giving him issues, which is just brutal luck for everyone involved. When the injury was first announced, the Raptors initially said Leonard would miss at least one week, and at that point, team imaging did not show an acute injury like a fracture or a sprain. It was just swelling. Now, that swelling seems to be more problematic than first believed, setting him back significantly and leaving the Raptors scrambling without their key player.
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Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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