Not looking good for Raptors' Kawhi Leonard to play in Vancouver
Vancouver was given a juicy matchup by the NBA this year.
Saturday’s game at Rogers Arena features the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers. Given everything that happened with Kawhi Leonard this summer, this isn’t a run-of-the-mill preseason game.
Except, maybe it will be.
Leonard missed the Raptors’ first preseason game in Quebec City on Saturday, as he gets back into game shape. The NBA superstar practiced Monday and Tuesday in Toronto, but Raptors insiders are hinting that he won’t suit up against his old team in Vancouver.
“The Raptors have pretty much confirmed that Leonard won’t be playing on Saturday in Vancouver,” Sportsnet’s Michael Grange said. Josh Lewenberg of TSN has said much of the same.
It seems that Kawhi’s first game back with the Raptors won’t come until Oct. 13 in Toronto at the earliest.
“He missed a lot of time this summer,” Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković told reporters in Toronto on Tuesday. “He’s still learning the names of all of the guys on the roster.”
Given Kawhi’s injury history, it’s understandable that the Raptors would want to be careful with the 35-year-old in preseason. The team might also be happy to avoid the hoopla that would come with him playing the Clippers. Either way, it’s a bummer for local hoops fans.
“I feel good. Being smart, taking it slow. Just getting familiar with everybody,” Leonard said. “It’s been fun. Everybody’s […] making sure that I understand everything. They’re just welcoming. It’s been a great transition.”
Leonard added that he’s focused on getting his conditioning in order.
“We’re taking it step by step, so hopefully everything works out.”
Vancouver packed Rogers Arena for an NBA preseason game in 2025 (Mary Kessenich/Offside)
Saturday’s game tips off at 3:30 p.m. in what will be a sold-out crowd.
The game will mark the seventh time the Raptors have played at Rogers Arena since the Vancouver Grizzlies left for Memphis in 2001. Leonard played in one of them, making his Raptors preseason debut in 2018.
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