The Toronto Raptors begin an extended stretch without star Kawhi Leonard when they return home to face the Orlando Magic on Wednesday in the first of two meetings in three days.
Leonard is expected to be sidelined for multiple weeks with swelling in his left knee, according to a report by ESPN. An MRI revealed no structural damage, and the Raptors announced Leonard will be reevaluated in one week.
The seven-time All-Star missed his first game of the season, a 117-94 road loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. In his return to Toronto, Leonard has averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 26 minutes per game over his first two contests.
Without Leonard in the lineup, Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said other players must step up.
“You’ve got to be ready for those situations,” Rajakovic said. “You try to adjust and then maximize the opportunity for the other guys.”
Ja’Kobe Walter paced the Raptors with 22 points against Minnesota, but Toronto struggled at both ends of the floor. The Timberwolves shot 55.8% from the field and 48.4% from 3-point range, while the Raptors connected on 38.5% of their field-goal attempts and 26.3% from beyond the arc.
Toronto opened the season with consecutive victories before suffering its first loss. RJ Barrett added 20 points and Immanuel Quickley scored 19 against Minnesota, but Scottie Barnes missed all 12 of his field-goal attempts. The Raptors were outscored 35-15 in the third quarter.
Quickley emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong defensive effort.
“On the road against a good team your defense has to travel with you,” Quickley said. “Regardless of how the offense is going.”
Orlando’s offense came alive just in time Sunday as the Magic earned their first victory of the season, rallying for a 111-102 road win over the New York Knicks.
Franz Wagner narrowly missed a triple-double with 23 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists. Wagner scored 21 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter to help fuel the comeback.
Desmond Bane made four 3-pointers on his way to 22 points, while Tristan da Silva (19 points) and Anthony Black (18 points) came off the bench to make five treys apiece. Black was playing his first game since spraining his right ankle before training camp.
Overall, the Magic shot 42.9% from beyond the arc (18 of 42).
“Anthony definitely brought a spark for us,” Magic coach Sean Sweeney said. “The guys were all excited he’s back.”
The Magic played without leading scorer Paolo Banchero (right ankle sprain), who is reportedly out for multiple weeks, while Jalen Suggs (right knee) exited in the fourth quarter and is expected to miss at least two weeks. Banchero’s averages of 24.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists leave a significant void in Orlando’s lineup.
Despite an uneven start, Wagner said the Magic remain committed to their approach.
“We’ve worked really hard in the preseason and the coaches have as well,” Wagner said. “They came in with a really good structure and system. And I feel like the team, even though it hasn’t looked great all the time, everybody is embracing the process.”
Rookie Jase Richardson scored six points in his first career start.
“He’s versatile with and without the basketball,” Sweeney said. “He can shoot the ball and defensively he competes.”
