Kawhi Leonard Injury Update, Latest News on Return Timeline for Raptors Star After Knee Treatment

The Toronto Raptors announced on Tuesday night that star forward Kawhi Leonard has "successfully completed treatment to address left knee swelling" and will now begin the "return to play process."

The team said it will give its next update on Leonard's recovery in one week.

Leonard, 35, has appeared in just two games for the Raptors thus far in the 2026-27 campaign, averaging 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 3.5 steals per contest. Toronto was 2-0 with him in the lineup and is 2-3 since.

The veteran forward returned to the Raptors, where he won a title during the 2018-19 season, following an offseason trade. Toronto sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, a pair of first round draft picks (2031, 2033), a first-round pick swap (2027) and two second-rounders (2030, 2033) to the Los Angeles Clippers for Leonard.

The move was expected to help a young Raptors team take the next step after last season's 46-36 record and playoff berth. Leonard joined a strong core that includes Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Jakob Poeltl, Collin Murray-Boyles and Ja'Kobe Walter.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Oct. 27 that Leonard, who has dealt with persistent injury issues through his career, was expected to miss weeks due to his left-knee swelling. Leonard took to social media to express his own frustrations with the situation:

For now at least, it sounds as though Leonard is progressing on schedule. The Raptors are next in action on Wednesday night in Denver.