Toronto’s championship hero is one step closer to getting back on the court. After a frustrating start to his second stint with the Raptors, the veteran forward is finally making progress on a knee problem.
Kawhi Leonard has completed treatment for swelling in his left knee and has begun the process of returning to play, the Toronto Raptors announced Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
When could Kawhi Leonard return?
The team said it will give an update on his progress in one week. That means the earliest Leonard could play would be Nov. 11, when the Raptors face the Boston Celtics.
The Raptors did not describe the treatment Leonard received. The phrase return to play typically means a player is gradually ramping up activity, from individual workouts to practice, before rejoining games.
An MRI last month showed no structural damage to the knee, which was an encouraging sign for the team. Swelling can still require time to settle, especially for a player with a long history of knee issues.
How has Kawhi Leonard played this season?
Kawhi Leonard appeared in only two games before the swelling sidelined him. In those games, he averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals.
Those numbers showed he can still impact games on both ends of the floor, especially on defense, where he made his name as one of the league’s best defenders.
Leonard won Defensive Player of the Year twice with the San Antonio Spurs. He is widely considered one of the best players of his generation on both ends of the floor.
What is Leonard’s injury history?
At 35, Leonard has dealt with knee problems for years. He has had multiple surgeries on his right knee, including procedures for his meniscus and a torn ACL.
His teams have often limited his workload to protect his health, a practice known as load management that became closely associated with him. The approach drew criticism from fans but helped extend his career.
This time, Kawhi Leonard’s issue is in his left knee, though the clean MRI suggests it is not a structural injury.
Why did Kawhi Leonard return to Toronto?
Leonard was traded to Toronto from the Los Angeles Clippers this offseason, ending six seasons in Los Angeles. His final stretch with the Clippers was marked by controversy, including an NBA investigation into an endorsement deal. Leonard and the Clippers denied wrongdoing.
After the trade, he signed a contract extension worth $115 million over two years. The deal signals that Toronto sees him as a key piece for the next two seasons.
His return reunited him with the franchise he led to its only NBA championship in 2019, when he was named Finals MVP. He left for the Clippers in free agency that summer. Toronto fans still celebrate that title run as the greatest moment in franchise history.
He also hit one of the most famous shots in team history, a shot at the buzzer that bounced on the rim four times before dropping to beat the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 7 of the 2019 Eastern Conference semifinals.
What does Leonard’s return mean for the Raptors?
Toronto is hoping Kawhi Leonard can provide veteran leadership and scoring for a team trying to return to contention. His health will be central to how far the team can go.
The Raptors recently lost to the Los Angeles Lakers, when Luka Doncic scored 45 points. Getting a healthy Leonard back would give Toronto another proven scorer to lean on in close games.
For Kawhi Leonard, the next week will show whether his second run in Toronto can get back on track.
