Kawhi Leonard is out at least a week with swelling in his left knee, and the real timeline looks like weeks. That puts his only trip back to face the Clippers in doubt and raises early questions about Toronto's $115 million bet.

The Toronto Raptors will be without Kawhi Leonard for longer than the official line suggests. The forward will follow a treatment and rehab program and be re-evaluated in one week.

Leonard is expected to miss weeks, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported. An MRI found no structural damage. Toronto plans to use the time off to build his workload back up.

Leonard was a late scratch from Toronto’s game against Minnesota on Sunday, Oct. 25. The Raptors said he felt no pain in the knee. They believe the swelling comes from wear and tear, not a specific injury.

A new knee problem clouds Toronto’s costly reunion

Leonard’s past knee trouble has mostly involved his right knee. He has had several surgeries there on the meniscus and ACL. Now the left knee is flaring up in his first season back in Toronto.

His start was uneven. The 35-year-old played about 26 minutes a night in his two games. He shot only 32 percent from the field. Last season with the Clippers, he averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 65 games.

Toronto gave up a lot to bring him back. The Raptors sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two future first-round picks, a future first-round pick swap and two future second-round picks to the Clippers. The trade became official on Sept. 14. Leonard then signed a two-year, $115 million extension with a player option for 2028-29, according to his agent. He took $11 million less than his maximum and gave up a $7.45 million trade kicker.

His offseason was unusual. He could not join Toronto until the league settled its salary cap investigation of the Clippers. The league took away the Clippers’ first-round picks in each draft from 2029 through 2033 and fined the team $30 million. Owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for one year. Leonard was not suspended but had to pay the league $700,000.

Raptors routed Orlando without him, with a Los Angeles trip ahead

Scottie Barnes had help in Wednesday’s home rout, which lifted Toronto’s record to 3-1. RJ Barrett added 25 points. Ja’Kobe Walter scored 14 while starting in Leonard’s place.

Coach Darko Rajaković said losing Leonard takes away a key player but gives others more chances. He added that the break gives the team time to build chemistry before Leonard returns. Leonard posted on X that missing time is always frustrating. He said he wants to get back to full strength and promised to return soon.

The schedule offers little room for a quick comeback. Toronto faces Orlando again Friday in an NBA Cup game. The Raptors then visit the Lakers on Sunday and the Clippers on Monday.