The Raptors cleared Kawhi Leonard from the injury report on Saturday, a day after he had reappeared on it with a rest issue. Leonard is now set to be available for Toronto's season opener against the Bulls on Wednesday.
What happened
The Toronto Raptors cleared Kawhi Leonard from the injury report on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 11:48 a.m. ET, removing the day-to-day tag he carried after Friday's report listed him with a rest issue. The report gave no further detail on the move. Leonard had bounced on and off the day-to-day list throughout camp: he was cleared on Oct. 12 after being listed day-to-day on Oct. 3 for a non-injury reason. Saturday's clearance leaves him with no restriction heading into the opener.
What it means for the Raptors
Leonard is available for Toronto's season opener against the Bulls on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Last season he averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 32.1 minutes across 65 games, and a healthy Leonard gives the Raptors their leading scorer back from the jump. The Raptors have not played a game yet this season, so there is no record to speak of with or without him. With Leonard cleared, Toronto opens with its full perimeter group intact, including Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett, who have carried the scoring load when he has been out.
What to watch
The Raptors will issue their next injury report ahead of Wednesday's opener against the Bulls. No further timeline was announced beyond Saturday's clearance. Toronto also lists Chucky Hepburn, Immanuel Quickley, Ja'Kobe Walter, Scottie Barnes, Jamal Shead, Collin Murray-Boyles, Jakob Poeltl and RJ Barrett as day-to-day, so the full report bears watching as the opener approaches.
Is Kawhi Leonard playing vs Bulls?
Yes. The Raptors cleared him from the day-to-day list on Saturday, Oct. 17, and he is expected to be available for Toronto's opener against the Bulls on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
When will Kawhi Leonard be back?
He is already back. The Raptors removed him from the injury report on Oct. 17, and no further absence has been announced.