Kawhi Leonard to Sit Out Raptors–Clippers Preseason Reunion in Vancouver
Kawhi Leonard will miss Saturday's preseason meeting between the Raptors and Clippers in Vancouver as he continues his ramp-up, delaying his first game against his former club since September's blockbuster trade.
The most anticipated reunion of the NBA preseason will have to wait. Kawhi Leonard is expected to sit out Saturday's game between the Toronto Raptors and the Los Angeles Clippers at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, with the 35-year-old continuing a deliberate ramp-up toward the regular season.
Sportsnet's Michael Grange reported Leonard completed his second full practice since rejoining Toronto on Tuesday, while TSN's Josh Lewenberg reported his Raptors re-debut is not expected before next week at the earliest. Leonard also missed Toronto's preseason opener against Miami.
The game would have been his first against the Clippers since the September trade that sent him back to Toronto — where he won the franchise's only championship in 2019 — in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and a package of future draft picks, after the NBA's investigation into alleged salary-cap circumvention by Los Angeles delayed the deal's completion.
Leonard is coming off a career-best 27.9 points per game season with the Clippers. He could make his Toronto return when the Raptors host the Knicks on Tuesday, though the team has not confirmed a date. Saturday's game tips at 6:30 p.m. ET.