Kawhi Leonard leaves Toronto for knee treatment

Kawhi Leonard, a forward for the Toronto Raptors, has left the city for medical treatment related to swelling in his left knee. His coach, Darko Rajakovic, confirmed on Thursday that Leonard was not with the team and that no return date had yet been set.

Coach outlines next steps for Leonard's recovery

Rajakovic said a new assessment of Leonard's condition would be conducted in a week to determine the next steps of his rehabilitation. He added that the team would have a better idea of when Leonard might return to play, though no exact date or schedule has been established yet.

Leonard's absence expected to last several weeks

According to journalist Chris Haynes, Leonard is expected to miss at least three to four weeks of NBA competition. This is longer than the Raptors' initial estimate of at least one week, with a reevaluation planned after that. The treatment aims first to reduce inflammation before considering a return to the court.

Medical tests show no serious injury

Despite the prolonged absence, initial medical examinations have been reassuring. An MRI of Leonard's left knee did not reveal any structural damage or acute injury. The Raptors hope to use this time to reduce swelling and help Leonard regain his optimal physical condition.

Leonard's impact limited by injury so far

Since rejoining the Raptors this summer, Leonard has only played in two official games. In those games, he averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 25.8 minutes. However, the team has continued to perform well despite his absence, recently dominating the Orlando Magic 129-99.

Raptors remain strong without Leonard

Toronto's record stands at three wins in four games this season, with players like R.J. Barrett and Scottie Barnes stepping up in Leonard's absence. The team appears to have found ways to compensate for his limited playing time so far.