KAWHI LEONARD BEGINS RETURN PROCESS AFTER KNEE SWELLING

Kawhi Leonard has completed treatment for swelling in his left knee and will be re-evaluated in a week, the Toronto Raptors said. The team confirmed that Leonard has begun the "return-to-play" process following the setback, which kept him out of five consecutive games. Marc Stein reported the Raptors' statement, which said Leonard's knee is "progressing after treatment to address swelling". The update does not clear Leonard to play immediately, as he must complete a ramp-up period before Toronto considers returning him to the lineup. He missed matches in Los Angeles against the Lakers and his former team, the Clippers.

An MRI on Leonard's left knee showed no structural damage, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com reported that Leonard will be re-evaluated by 10 November, though he is unlikely to return to the court before the end of November. Ja'Kobe Walter has continued to start in Leonard's absence, with Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett running Toronto's offence. Leonard's absence from the Clippers fixture drew attention given the circumstances of his departure from the franchise this offseason.

The NBA's investigation into salary-cap circumvention by the Clippers found that the organisation facilitated off-court income opportunities for Leonard. The league fined the Clippers $30 million and stripped the team of five first-round picks, while Leonard was fined $700,000. Leonard spent seven years with the Clippers before his exit this offseason. The Raptors said they would provide a further update on his progress in one week.