Kawhi Leonard sidelined again: Knee swelling forces Raptors star into rehab

The Toronto Raptors are taking a cautious approach to Kawhi Leonard ’s latest knee problem, with the seven-time All-Star set to undergo treatment and rehabilitation for persistent swelling in his left knee. Imaging revealed no acute injury, but he will miss at least a week before being evaluated again next Tuesday and the setback follows Leonard ’s absence from Sunday’s 117-94 defeat against the Minnesota Timberwolves , when excess fluid in his knee forced him out shortly before tipoff.

Toronto had initially hoped to monitor the issue, but further medical assessments led the team to prioritize treatment over an immediate return as Leonard had started the 2026-27 campaign with 39 points across his first two appearances, although he shot just 32.4 percent from the field. His latest absence interrupts a season that began with expectations of a sustained run after he managed 65 games in 2025-26, his highest total since 2023-24 and the forward’s injury history adds significance to the decision. Leonard previously suffered a partially torn ACL in his right knee in 2021, missing the entire following season, before tearing his right meniscus in 2023. He has also dealt with recurring soreness and inflammation, although the current swelling affects his left knee.

Raptors slump to defeat without Leonard

Toronto struggled without him against Minnesota , falling to 2-1 despite 22 points from Ja’Kobe Walter and 20 from RJ Barrett as the home side shot 56 percent from the field and outrebounded the Raptors 49-34. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 26 points in only 27 minutes, while LaMelo Ball scored 15 in 16 minutes during his regular-season debut, the latter making four of five attempts from three-point range. Jaden McDaniels added 14 points, six rebounds and three blocks, while Rudy Gobert grabbed 13 rebounds. Minnesota shot 56 percent from the field and 48 percent from beyond the arc, also winning the rebounding battle 49-34 against Toronto . The Timberwolves established control defensively from the opening quarter, restricting the Raptors to nine made shots on 29 attempts whilst Leonard ’s side connected on just one of its first 10 three-point attempts. Allowing Minnesota to build momentum before stretching the margin to as many as 32 points, Toronto dropped to 2-1 despite having three players reach double figures, with the visitors unable to match the hosts’ efficiency. The Raptors are scheduled to host the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, but Leonard ’s rehabilitation timeline means the team must prepare to continue without him as his condition is reassessed.