The Toronto Raptors said in a statement released Tuesday that forward Kawhi Leonard has “successfully completed treatment to address left knee swelling” and will be evaluated in one week.
The Raptors added that Leonard will begin a “return to play process” in Toronto.
Last Tuesday, the Raptors said Leonard would miss time with left knee swelling and would be re-evaluated in one week. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported at the time that Leonard would miss “a period of weeks.” He was originally a late scratch ahead of Toronto’s game in Minnesota against the Timberwolves on Oct. 25 after playing in the team’s first two games of the season.
TSN’s Josh Lewenberg reported last week that the nature of Leonard’s injury makes it hard to establish a definitive timeline since his return is so dependant on how his knee responds to rest and treatment.
Lewenberg reported Tuesday evening that Leonard is now listed as being out for Wednesday’s game in Denver due to “left knee injury management” as opposed to “left knee swelling.” Lewenberg also reports centre Jakob Poeltl is questionable with shoulder bursitis.
Leonard had 23 points in his Raptors re-debut on Oct. 21 in the season-opener against the Chicago Bulls, but struggled two nights later against the Washington Wizards, scoring 16 points on 5-of-17 shooting.
He is averaging 19.5 points and 7.5 rebounds on 32.4 per cent shooting from the field in two games this season after averaging a career-best 27.9 points a season ago in 65 games with the Clippers.
The Raptors are 4-3 on the season and have two more games remaining on their four-game road trip before returning home against the Memphis Grizzlies on Nov. 9.