Kawhi Leonard's knee swelling has been treated and he'll start 'return to play' process, Raptors say

TORONTO (AP) — Kawhi Leonard is getting closer to rejoining the Toronto Raptors' lineup.

The Raptors announced Tuesday that Leonard “has successfully completed treatment to address left knee swelling,” the first step in the process to get him back on the court again.

Leonard played in Toronto's first two games of the season, averaging 19.5 points and 7.5 rebounds. The Raptors have been without him since, going 2-3 in five contests.

He'll miss at least three more games while going through what the team called “the return to play” process in Toronto. Leonard's progress will be updated in a week, Raptors said, meaning the earliest he could play again would be Nov. 11 against Boston.

Leonard is a two-time NBA Finals MVP, including when he led the Raptors to their lone title in 2019. After getting traded back to Toronto this summer he agreed on a $115 million extension that, at his option, would run through the 2028-29 season.

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