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TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 30: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball during the second half of an NBA game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Scotiabank Arena on October 30, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 30: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball during the second half of an NBA game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Scotiabank Arena on October 30, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

Kawhi Leonard Will Not Play vs. Lakers Because of Foot Injury

Kyle Newport
Nov 4, 2018

Toronto Raptors star Kawhi Leonard will not play Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers because of a sore left foot.

Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reported the news, noting Leonard jammed the foot during Friday's win over the Phoenix Suns.

The 27-year-old is, of course, coming off an injury-plagued season that ultimately led to his departure from the San Antonio Spurs. He missed all but nine of 87 games (regular season and postseason combined) a season ago due to a quad injury.

Early on this season, the organization made it clear that it would ease the former NBA Finals MVP back into the grind of an 82-game season.

"The plan is for a little while here to not let him play [both halves of] the back-to-backs," head coach Nick Nurse said in November, per Bontemps. "I don't think we've decided how long that's gonna be yet. We're going game by game."

Leonard has regained his All-Star form this season, averaging 26.1ย points, 7.6ย rebounds and 3.4 assists in sevenย games during his first year in Toronto. As a result, the new-look Raptors have gone 8-1, good for a tie for firstย placeย in the Eastern Conference.

Given the wayย the forward's tenure in San Antonio came to an end, Toronto needs to handle any Leonard injury with caution. Any misstep in the process could risk fracturing the relationship with the impending free agent.

The Raptors should be able to withstand Leonard's injury during the regular season thanks to a talented lineup that features the likes ofย Kyle Lowry, Danny Green and Serge Ibaka. However, theyย will need others to fill the hole created by the two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year's absence. Bothย Norman Powell andย OG Anunoby should see increased minutes in the meantime.ย 

Regardless of who fills in, though, Toronto will have a tough time of contending for a championship without a healthy Leonard.

Who Is Mark Walter?