Kawhi Leonard will be available to make his pre-season debut for the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday against the New York Knicks, head coach Darko Rajakovic told reporters on Monday.
Leonard has been ramping up slowly through the preseason since the the Raptors officially acquired him from the Los Angeles Clippers in September.
TSN’s Josh Lewenberg reported earlier this month that the Raptors have been playing it safe with Leonard in preparation for the season due to his age, extensive injury history and complicated summer that saw a trade from L.A. to Toronto sit in limbo for months.
Leonard was on court again Monday in Toronto and told reporters after the team’s session that he’s feeling good as he ramps up toward his pre-season debut.
“I feel good. Being smart, taking it slow. Just getting familiar with everybody. Getting the names right with each coach, player development, learning the plays. Learning everything that [Rajakovic] has been doing the past three or four years,” Leonard said.
The 35-year-old Leonard is coming off one of his most successful seasons in the NBA from a statistical standpoint, as he averaged a career-high 27.9 points per game over 65 games last year with the Clippers. He was an All-Star, named second-team All-NBA and finished seventh in MVP voting.
Leonard has two NBA titles in his decorated career, and two Finals MVP awards - the first in 2014 while a member of the San Antonio Spurs, and the second in 2019 when he led the Raptors to their first and only title over the Golden State Warriors.
The Raptors have three preseason games remaining on the schedule before they play their season opener against the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 21.