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Ivory CoastKawhi Leonard Sitting Out Against Timberwolves With Knee Swelling
Kawhi Leonard will sit out his first game this season for the Toronto Raptors due to left knee swelling.
Leonard set to miss first game of the season
The Toronto Raptors will be without star forward Kawhi Leonard on Sunday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Toronto announced that Leonard is sitting out because of left knee swelling.
This absence marks the very first game that Leonard has missed so far this season. The team has not provided additional details beyond the left knee swelling diagnosis.
Return to Toronto and early performance
Leonard is in his first season back with Toronto. Before the season started, the LA Clippers traded the All NBA forward to the Raptors. It was a major move that brought him back to the team he led to its first ever NBA championship in 2019.
He started the current campaign on a solid note. Across his first two games of the season, Leonard has recorded averages of 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 steals per game. His presence on the floor has been significant in those early contests.
Injury history and workload management
This latest setback calls attention to his past health struggles. Leonard has an extensive history of issues with his right knee. That history includes a torn ACL in 2021 as well as a torn meniscus in 2023.
While he was with the LA Clippers, the organization managed his workload heavily due to these ongoing knee concerns. The team used load management strategy throughout much of his time in Los Angeles. Now in Toronto, the staff must handle this new swelling in his left knee as the schedule moves forward.
What it means for the next game
Toronto Raptors at Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA, Sun, 25 Oct): Minnesota Timberwolves win 54%, Toronto Raptors win 46%; projected score Minnesota Timberwolves 115, Toronto Raptors 112. Our safest pick: Raptors +9.5.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA, Mon, 26 Oct): Cleveland Cavaliers win 47%, Minnesota Timberwolves win 53%; projected score Cleveland Cavaliers 118, Minnesota Timberwolves 118. Our safest pick: Cavaliers +8.5.
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