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Kawhi Leonard did not take the court for the Toronto Raptors in their preseason opener against the Miami Heat on Saturday in Quebec City. Head coach Darko Rajakovic confirmed before the game that Leonard would sit out, and also suggested the star forward will likely miss the team’s October 10 preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers in Vancouver.
Leonard Returns to Toronto After Clippers Trade
Leonard rejoined the Raptors this past summer after the team acquired him from the Clippers in a trade. His return carries significant meaning for Toronto fans. Leonard famously helped the Raptors capture the 2019 NBA championship before eventually moving on to Los Angeles.
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However, his June trade back to Toronto did not go smoothly at first. The NBA paused the deal for two months while it investigated Leonard and the Clippers for alleged salary-cap circumvention. The league eventually cleared the way for the trade to proceed.
Strong Individual Numbers From Last Season
Leonard arrives in Toronto carrying strong recent form. Last season, the 35-year-old averaged 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals and 0.4 blocks per game across 65 appearances for the Clippers. His performance earned him a spot on the All-NBA Second Team.
Despite his absence on Saturday, the game itself carried its own historical significance. The contest at the Videotron Centre marked the first NBA game ever played in Quebec City, giving local fans a rare opportunity to see top-level professional basketball in their city.
Raptors Managing Leonard’s Availability Carefully
Rajakovic did not specify the exact reason for Leonard’s absence. However, the decision appears to reflect a cautious approach to managing the veteran forward’s workload early in the preseason. Leonard has dealt with injury concerns throughout his career, and the Raptors will likely take a measured approach to his return to game action.
Toronto fans will be watching closely for updates on his availability as the regular season approaches. For now, the Raptors are easing their marquee offseason addition back into the fold carefully and on their own timeline.
